The Senate on Thursday officially passed and adopted President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation imposing a six-month suspension on Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision following a closed-door session that lasted over an hour.
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Akpabio revealed that the Senate relied on Orders 133, 134, 135, and 136 of its standing rules to deliberate and approve the President’s directive.
The suspension, which also affects the Deputy Governor and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, is part of the broader state of emergency declaration aimed at restoring order in the crisis-hit state.
Earlier in the plenary, Akpabio read aloud a letter from President Tinubu, officially notifying the Senate of the State of Emergency Proclamation 2025. In the letter, Tinubu cited Section 305, Subsection 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as the legal basis for his decision.
He further outlined key provisions of the emergency measures, including the suspension of elected officials and the appointment of Vice-Admiral Iboete Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs under his direct supervision.
The letter was immediately referred to the Committee of the Whole Senate for consideration and passage.
However, shortly after the reading, Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) raised a Point of Order 133, requesting a closed-door session to discuss the sensitive matter further.
The Senate complied, and after extensive deliberations, lawmakers returned to plenary and adopted the President’s proclamation.
With this approval, Rivers State officially enters a new phase of governance under the direct control of the Federal Government, led by Vice-Admiral Ibas.
The move is expected to spark intense political reactions across the country as stakeholders weigh in on the implications of the unprecedented decision.
More details to follow…