… As Gov Okpebholo backs Tinubu, dissociates from S/South governor’s position
The Senate has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request for the proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers State and the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly.
The decision was reached on Thursday, March 20, 2025, following a closed-door session by members of the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who announced the decision after over an hour of deliberation, stated that the Senate relied on its Orders 133, 134, 135, and 136 to arrive at the resolution.
The approval was given through a voice vote, as no senator called for a division to allow for individual voting, which would have required a two-thirds majority for the President’s proclamation to stand.
Before the deliberation, Senate President Akpabio read a letter from President Tinubu, formally communicating the request for emergency rule and the suspension of Governor Fubara.
The letter, in line with Section 305, Subsection 2 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, outlined the key provisions of the proclamation.
These included the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State, the suspension of the governor, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly members, and the appointment of Vice-Admiral Iboete Iba as the Administrator of the state.
The letter also emphasised that the administrator would govern the state under directives issued by the President as necessary.
Following the reading of the letter, Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) raised a point of order under Order 133, calling for a closed-door session.
The session led to the Senate’s final decision to align with the House of Representatives in approving the emergency proclamation, solidifying the legislative backing for the measures proposed by the President.
Meanwhile, Governor Monday Okpebholo has reaffirmed his support for all actions taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to bring lasting solutions and peace to Rivers State and the South-South geopolitical zone. He distanced himself from the stance of other South-South governors opposing the President’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State, stating that he was neither consulted nor informed before their decision was made.
While recognising the right of his counterparts in the region to express their views, Governor Okpebholo made it clear that he does not align with any statement opposing the President’s action.
He emphasised his unwavering support for President Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, stressing that the President understands the issues at stake in Rivers State.
