The House of Representatives has affirmed that President Bola Tinubu engaged the National Assembly before imposing emergency rule in Rivers State and appointing a sole administrator.
House spokesperson Akin Rotimi (APC-Ekiti) stated on Tuesday that the president formally notified lawmakers of his decision in line with constitutional provisions.
“Mr. President has officially communicated his decision to the House of Representatives, requesting approval in accordance with Section 305 of the Constitution,” Rotimi said. “His letter will be presented during plenary on Wednesday, March 19, where it will be deliberated and necessary legislative action will follow.”
Tinubu, in a nationwide address on Tuesday, announced the emergency declaration due to the ongoing political unrest between the state’s executive and legislature. As part of the measures, he suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
To oversee governance during this period, he appointed former Chief of Naval Staff Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator while ensuring the judiciary remained operational.
The crisis, fueled by the political standoff between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara, had triggered threats of large-scale protests and acts of vandalism, including attacks on oil infrastructure.
Rotimi reassured the public that the National Assembly was not sidelined in the decision-making process.
He emphasized that legislative leaders had prior discussions with Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and other top security officials before the announcement was made.