The Senate has convened a closed session to discuss President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which includes the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials.
This pivotal session was initiated after Senate President Godswill Akpabio presented a letter from Tinubu during Thursday’s plenary session. Following this announcement, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele proposed a motion for the closed session, which was supported by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro.
On Tuesday evening, President Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. In a national address, he highlighted prolonged political instability, constitutional violations, and significant security threats as the basis for this drastic decision.
The ongoing crisis impacting governance in Rivers State originates from a power struggle between Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
To oversee the state’s administration during this tumultuous period, President Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.), who previously held the position of Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
