The House of Representatives on Thursday, 20 March, 2025 approved the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, along with the six-month suspension of Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the assembly, as announced by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, 18 March, 2025.
The seal of approval for the President’s proclamation came via voice vote during plenary on Thursday, 20 March, 2025.
The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary, called on members to make their contribution during the consideration of the general principles of the President’s report.
In his contribution, Benue lawmaker and Deputy Spokesman of the House, Philip Agbese recommended the setting up of a national mediation committee to broker peace between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, which the House.
On his part, the Minority Whip of the House recommended that the six-month suspension on the Rivers Governor and the State Legislature should not be cast in stone.
“If peace is reached between the two parties, the emergency rule should be lifted before six months,” he said, a prayer the House also granted.
The Speaker had earlier read a letter from the President notifying the House of the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
Before the letter was read, the House dissolved into an Executive Session which lasted for about 10 minutes.
An attempt by the Abia lawmaker, Obi Agwuncha, to stop the debate on the general principles of the letter citing Section 305 (6b) of the Constitution, which requires that the House must have two-thirds of its members in plenary, was overruled by the Speaker.
