The House of Representatives has commenced discussions on President Bola Tinubu’s request for a state of emergency in Rivers State.
During plenary on Thursday, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas presented Tinubu’s letter, in which the president urged lawmakers to “expeditiously consider” his request.
On Tuesday, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the protracted political crisis in the state.
The president suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all House of Assembly members for six months, a decision that has sparked controversy.
To oversee the state, Tinubu appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral and former chief of naval staff, as the administrator.
For the emergency rule to take effect, Section 305(2) of the constitution states that the president must transmit the proclamation to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
With 360 members in the House of Representatives and 109 in the Senate, Tinubu requires at least 240 votes in the House and 73 in the Senate for his proclamation to be upheld.
More to come…
