The House of Representatives has approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, as reported by PUNCH.
The approval also includes the six-month suspension of Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the state assembly.
The decision was made during a plenary session on Thursday, the approval came through a voice vote after Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read the President’s letter to the House.
During the debate, lawmakers shared their opinions, deputy Spokesman of the House, Philip Agbese, suggested forming a national mediation committee to resolve the crisis between Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, the House agreed to this proposal.
The Minority Whip of the House argued that the six-month suspension should not be permanent and suggested that if peace is restored, the emergency rule should be lifted before the six months end, the House accepted this recommendation.
Earlier, the House had held a closed-door executive session for about 10 minutes, afterward, Speaker Abbas read the President’s letter.
The letter officially notified the House of the emergency rule in Rivers State.
An attempt by Abia lawmaker, Obi Agwuncha, to stop the debate was rejected.
He had cited a section of the constitution requiring two-thirds of House members to be present for such discussions, however, the Speaker overruled him, and the debate continued.
The emergency rule means the federal government will take control of the state’s affairs for now.
The suspension of elected officials is expected to last six months unless the crisis is resolved earlier.