The Senate and House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have unanimously endorsed the proclamation of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.
The endorsements by the two Chambers of the National Assembly were arrived at today, Thursday during their respective sittings.
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, had earlier in the week declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich Niger Delta state following a protracted faceoff between the governor, Sir Sim Fubara and the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Problems started when Gov Fubara fell out with his predecessor and political benefactor, Chief Nyesom Wike who’s currently the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
The faceoff which metamorphosed into serious political crisis, saw 27 members of the Rivers Assembly loyal to Ex-governor Wike who were elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), decamp to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor had declared the seats of the defected members vacant and ceased from paying them salaries and other allowances, while working with the remaining four members as the ‘State Assembly’.
The declaration of the State of Emergency and suspension of the governor and his deputy by President Tinubu, followed a Supreme Court judgement last week. The Supreme Court had, amongst other pronouncements noted that with the developments, there was no valid government in Rivers State.
More details later…
