THE House of Representatives today approved the declaration of a state of emergency for Rivers State, along with the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalaye Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the state House of Assembly, as announced by President Tinubu.
The approval for the president’s proclamation was given by voice vote by over 240 members during plenary in the House on Thursday.
The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary, called on members to make their contribution during the consideration of the general principles of the President’s report.
In his contribution, Benue State lawmaker and Deputy Spokesman of the House, Philip Agbese recommended the setting up of a national mediation committee to broker peace between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, which the House approved.
On his part, the Minority Whip of the House recommended that the six-month suspension on the Rivers State 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 River 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.
Eighteen-Eleven Media