The House of Representatives has approved the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State
On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu had proclaimed emergency rule over the protracted crisis in the state.
The president suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers House of Assembly for six months.
A sole administrator was appointed to take charge of the state during the period.
However, according to the Constitution, two-thirds of the National Assembly need to consent to the rule for it to take effect.
At plenary on Thursday, the speaker, Abbas Tajuddeen, put it to a voice vote, and the majority had the day.
Abbas later announced that 243 members attended the sitting based on the attendance register for the day.
Earlier, Rep. Ali Isa JC moved a motion for amendment to review the period from six months downward and was seconded by Rep. Miriam Onuohs .
The Senate also on Thursday passed and adopted the proclamation of President Bola Tinubu on the six-month suspension he slammed on Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, announced this after a closed-door session on Thursday that lasted over one hour.
According to him, the Senate relied on its Orders 133, 134, 135 and 136.
Earlier, Akpabio disclosed that Tinubu had written the Senate a letter of proclamation on the six-month suspension he slammed on Fubara.
The letter read aloud at plenary by Akpabio said: “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 Constitution of the Senate, copies of the official Gazette of the State of Emergency Proclamation 2025.
“The main features of the proclamation are as follows.
“A declaration of a State of Emergency in one State of the Federation, namely, River State.
“The suspension from office of the Governor, his Deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly.
“An appointment of Vice-Admiral Iboete Iba, as the Administrator to administer the State something to any instruction or regulation as made from time to time be issued by me.
“While I look forward to the expeditious Constitution of the Senate, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
Akpabio, after reading the letter, said: “This letter is committed to the Committee of the entire Senate for Immediate passage.”
Immediately after the letter, Senator Seriake Dickson, PDP, Bayelsa West raised a point of Order 133 that has to do with having a closed-door session.