Reps Approve Tinubu’s Emergency Rule Request for Rivers State

The House of Representatives has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State following heightened political tensions and security concerns.

The decision, made during a plenary session on Wednesday, comes after weeks of instability in the oil-rich state, where political clashes and reports of pipeline vandalism have raised national security concerns.

Why the Emergency Rule?

The crisis in Rivers State stems from an ongoing power tussle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and state lawmakers, a situation that has escalated into widespread unrest. Reports also indicate that increased incidents of oil theft and pipeline vandalism are affecting Nigeria’s economic stability.

President Tinubu, in his emergency rule proclamation, suspended Governor Fubara and other elected officials, appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the military administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.

House of Representatives

Legislative Endorsement

The House of Representatives deliberated on the request before approving it, with lawmakers emphasizing the need for urgent measures to restore stability. The Senate, after a closed-door session, also gave its approval, ensuring full legislative backing for the President’s decision.

Mixed Reactions

While the government insists that the emergency rule is necessary to prevent further chaos, critics, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), have condemned the suspension of elected officials. Legal experts argue that emergency rule should not lead to the dissolution of a democratic government.

This marks the first time in over a decade that a state of emergency has been imposed in Nigeria, highlighting the severity of the situation in Rivers State.

Stay tuned to Jasawa Times for further updates on this developing story.

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