The House of Representatives has approved the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, but however, recommended for a shorter suspension period for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly.
The House, in an overwhelming voice vote during plenary on Thursday, backed the declaration of a state of emergency rule which was pronounced by Tinunu in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday amid the lingering political crisis that has rocked the oil-rich state since September 2024.
While announcing the resolution of the House, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, confirmed that 240 lawmakers attended the session, satisfying the quorum requirements.
Following the passage of the proclamation, the House also recommended that a national committee should be set up to mitigate and restore peace to the state.
The House also recommended the National Assembly to take over the activities of Rivers State House of Assembly for a period of six months for which the President suspended the lawmakers.
However, the House also made some amendments to the proclamation including setting up a committee of eminent Nigerians to mediate on the matter during the period of emergency.
While contributing on the debate, the Minority Whip of the House, Hon. Ali Isa, recommended that the six-month suspension on Fubara, Onu and the state legislature should be reduced and not cast in stone
“If peace is reached between the two parties, the emergency rule should be lifted before six months,” Isa said, a prayer the House also granted.
Hon. Odinaka Miriam Onuoha, who represents Okigwe North federal constituency of Imo State,
who strongly supported the motion for the approval of the emergency rule, however, argued for a reduction in the six-month suspension period imposed on Fubara and other affected officials.
“I rise to second this motion as moved by my brother that this House due support the proclamation in view that it should be reduced shorter than the six months period, when the two parties come to the table. Whether it is tomorrow or earlier than that. I so second the motion,” she stated.