Emergency rule: Reps approve Tinubu’s, suspension of Fubara, others in Rivers State

The House of Representatives has 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 state assembly, as announced by President Bola Tinubu. The approval was given through a voice vote during Thursday’s plenary session.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the session, invited members to contribute during the discussion on the general principles of the President’s report.
In his contribution, Benue lawmaker and Deputy Spokesman of the House, Philip Agbese, suggested the establishment of a national mediation committee to facilitate peace between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, a proposal which the House subsequently approved.
Meanwhile, the Minority Whip of the House recommended that the six-month suspension of the Rivers Governor and the state legislature should not be made permanent.
“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 previously read a letter from the President informing the House about the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. Prior to reading the letter, the House went into an executive session that lasted for about 10 minutes.
An attempt by Abia lawmaker Obi Agwuncha to halt the debate on the general principles of the letter, citing Section 305 (6b) of the Constitution, which mandates that the House must have two-thirds of its members present in plenary, was overruled by the Speaker.