The House of Representatives has confirmed that President Bola Tinubu consulted the National Assembly before declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State and appointing a sole administrator.
Akin Rotimi (APC-Ekiti), the House spokesman, stated on Tuesday that the president officially informed lawmakers of his decision in accordance with Section 305 of the Constitution.
“Mr. President’s formal letter, informing the House of Representatives of his decision and seeking approval in line with Section 305 of the Constitution, has been transmitted,” Rotimi said. “It will be read during plenary tomorrow, Wednesday, March 19, and further legislative action debated and decided.”
Tinubu declared the emergency rule in a live broadcast on Tuesday, citing the ongoing political crisis between the executive and legislature in Rivers State. As part of the decision, he suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
To oversee the state’s administration, Tinubu appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ibas, as sole administrator while allowing the judiciary to continue functioning.
The crisis, influenced by the political rivalry between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara, had sparked threats of mass protests and incidents of vandalism, including attacks on oil pipelines.
Rotimi assured that the National Assembly was actively involved in discussions before the president’s declaration. He noted that legislative leaders had met with Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and other security chiefs before the emergency rule was announced.
