House of Reps Supports State of Emergency in Rivers

State of Emergency in Rivers: House of Reps Votes Yes

​The Nigerian House of Representatives has approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. This decision includes the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the state assembly. The approval was granted during a plenary session on Thursday, March 20, 2025, through a voice vote with 243 members in attendance. ​

The state of emergency was declared in response to a political crisis and recent incidents of pipeline vandalism in the oil-rich state. President Tinubu criticized Governor Fubara for not taking action to address these issues, including a fire on the Trans Niger Pipeline. Consequently, the President suspended the governor and other elected officials for six months and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the military administrator of Rivers State.

The House’s approval of the emergency rule faced opposition from some stakeholders. Despite this, both legislative chambers endorsed the President’s proclamation. Notably, the House used a voice vote to approve the state of emergency, a method that has raised questions regarding constitutional provisions requiring a two-thirds majority for such decisions.

This marks the first emergency rule declared in Nigeria in over a decade. The Nigerian Bar Association has criticized the move as illegal, arguing that a declaration of emergency does not automatically dissolve or suspend elected state governments.

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