The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to impose emergency rule in Rivers State.
The decision was reached on Thursday after a closed-door session by lawmakers.
This approval comes just hours after the House of Representatives also endorsed the emergency declaration.
As part of the approval, the Senate resolved that President Tinubu must review or terminate the emergency rule at any time within the six-month period. Lawmakers also passed a resolution giving the National Assembly the authority to set up an ad hoc committee, made up of members from both chambers, to oversee developments in Rivers State during the emergency.
Additionally, the Senate called for the creation of a committee of respected Nigerians to mediate and reconcile the political crisis in the state within the emergency period.
With this approval, Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers State now has full legislative backing, though it remains a subject of controversy, with concerns over its constitutional validity and political consequences.
With both chambers of the National Assembly now backing the move, the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly is set to take full effect.
The emergency rule was announced by Tinubu on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.), has taken full control of the state’s affairs. He arrived in Rivers on Thursday and had a closed-door meeting with senior security officials and key stakeholders.