The House of Representatives has approved the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, as well as the six-month suspension of Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and all elected assembly members, as declared by President Bola Tinubu.
During Thursday’s plenary, the president’s proclamation was approved by voice vote.
Members were invited to contribute as the general concepts of the President’s report were being considered by the plenary, which was chaired by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The House accepted the prayer after Benue legislator and House Deputy Spokesman Philip Agbese suggested the formation of a national mediation committee to mediate a settlement between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly.
On his part, the Minority Whip of the House recommended that the six-month suspension on the Rivers Governor and the State Legislature should not be cast in stone.
“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 earlier read a letter from the President notifying the House of the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
Before the letter was read, the House dissolved into an executive session which lasted for about 10 minutes.
An attempt by the Abia lawmaker, Obi Agwuncha, to stop the debate on the general principles of the letter citing Section 305 (6b) of the Constitution, which requires that the House must have two-thirds of its members in plenary, was overruled by the Speaker.
More to come…
