Nigerian Senate Endorses Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers Amid Growing Controversy

The Nigerian Senate has joined the House of Representatives in approving President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, invoking its constitutional authority under the amended 1999 Constitution.

This decision grants the president the power to enforce emergency measures, with a mandatory review of the situation within six months at the latest.

In line with constitutional provisions, the National Assembly has established a joint committee composed of members from both chambers to oversee governance in Rivers during the emergency period.

Additionally, the Senate has resolved to form a mediation committee, comprising eminent Nigerians, tasked with resolving the state’s deepening political crisis.

Similarly, the House of Representatives had earlier ratified Tinubu’s declaration. In a voice vote session, lawmakers backed the emergency proclamation just two days after the president’s announcement.

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The House, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, amended the resolution by emphasizing that the National Assembly—not the Federal Executive Council—is constitutionally empowered to assume legislative responsibilities in a state where its House of Assembly is unable to function.

On Tuesday, President Tinubu took the unprecedented step of declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the escalating political crisis. As part of the directive, he also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.

In their place, he appointed a sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs—an action that has sparked widespread criticism and legal debate.

The decision has been met with fierce opposition from legal experts, governors, and prominent political figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, who have condemned the move as unconstitutional and called for its reversal.

However, despite mounting opposition, the Federal Government remains resolute, insisting that the emergency measure is necessary to restore peace and stability in the oil-rich state.