BREAKING: Senate Postpones Debate on State of Emergency in Rivers, Reason Emerges
FCT, Abuja – The Senate, on Wednesday, March 19, suspended its plenary and postponed its debate on President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State to Thursday, March 20, 2025.
State of emergency in Rivers: Why Senate postponed the debate
The debate was postponed due to the delay in the commencement of the plenary on Wednesday, March 19.
As reported by Vanguard, the debate was initially scheduled to begin at 3:00pm, but Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who moved the motion, stepped down discussions on the matter citing Order 1(b) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended).
The motion was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, PDP, Benue South.
In his motion, Senator Bamidele expressed apprehension of the security situation in Rivers state.
The motion read:
“Worried that there is a clear and present danger of the crises as some militants had threatened fire and brimstone, with security reports indicating disturbing incidents of vandalization of oil pipelines.
“Convinced that there is the need to provide adequate and extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order, and security in Rivers State.”
Senate reacts as Tinubu suspends Fubara
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Senate confirmed receiving correspondence from President Bola Tinubu regarding the six-month suspension imposed on Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers state.
Recall that President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, March 18, in Rivers state.
The president suspended Siminalayi Fubara, Ngozi Odu, his deputy, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Tinubu nominated Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice admiral, as the sole administrator of Rivers state and charged him with the management of the state without enacting new laws.
In a national broadcast, Tinubu cited prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats as reasons for the extraordinary measure.
Tinubu swears in Ibas as Rivers sole administrator
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, a day after Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers.
