Senate approves State of Emergency in Rivers State, establishes mediation committee

The Senate has officially approved President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, invoking its constitutional powers under the amended 1999 Constitution.

This approval grants the president the authority to enforce emergency measures while mandating a review of the situation at any time, but no later than six months.

Per the Constitution, the National Assembly has imposed a joint committee composed of members from both chambers to oversee the administration of affairs in Rivers State during the emergency period.

This oversight mechanism aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and the protection of citizens’ rights during the suspension of the state’s elected leadership.

Additionally, President Tinubu has appointed Abdu Mohammed as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Independent System Operator, along with other new board members.

These appointments are part of a broader effort to strengthen governance and regulatory oversight amid the political crisis in Rivers State.

To address underlying tensions, the Senate has resolved to establish a mediation committee composed of eminent Nigerians tasked with engaging all stakeholders, including political leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society organizations.

The goal is to foster dialogue and reconciliation, potentially easing the crisis before the full six-month emergency period elapses.

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, announced the Senate’s decision after a closed-door session on Thursday that lasted over an hour. Earlier, he disclosed that President Tinubu had formally written to the Senate regarding the six-month suspension imposed on Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other state officials.

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Reading Tinubu’s letter aloud, Akpabio stated: “In compliance with the provisions of Section 305, Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I hereby forward, for the consideration of the Senate, copies of the official Gazette of the State of Emergency Proclamation 2025.

The approval of the emergency rule grants President Tinubu broad powers to take decisive actions, including the deployment of security forces, the suspension of certain democratic processes, and the implementation of measures to restore order.

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However, the Constitution mandates that these powers be exercised within legal limits and subject to legislative oversight.

The joint committee of the National Assembly will play a critical role in monitoring the implementation of emergency rule, ensuring that it does not infringe on citizens’ rights.

Regular updates from the committee to both chambers of the National Assembly are expected throughout the period.

The declaration of a state of emergency has sparked mixed reactions among stakeholders. While some view it as a necessary step to restore peace and stability, others have expressed concerns about potential abuses of power and the suspension of democratic norms.

Notably, opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, have rejected the emergency rule.

 Gathering in Abuja on Thursday, they called on the National Assembly to rescind its approval, arguing that the decision undermines democratic principles and sets a dangerous precedent.