By THE Nigeria’s House of Representatives and the Senate have approved President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, invoking its constitutional powers under the amended 1999 Constitution.
The approval grants President Tinubu the authority to enforce emergency measures while mandating a review of the situation at any time, but no later than six months.
As regards the Constitution, the National Assembly has also imposed a joint committee of both chambers, to oversee the administration of affairs in Rivers State during the emergency period.
Tinubu and Ibas
In addition, the Senate has resolved to establish a mediation committee consisting of eminent Nigerians to help resolve the state’s political crisis.
Stonix News reports that Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas presided over the plenary and said 240 lawmakers attended the session on Thursday in Abuja.
However, the House has made some amendments to the proclamation. These included the set up of a committee of eminent Nigerians to mediate on the matter during the period of emergency.
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It also drew attention to the Constitutional provision that allows the National Assembly to make laws for a state if at any time the state assembly is unable to perform its functions, disagreeing with Tinubu’s position that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) would usurp this function.
The House of Representatives also said the state of emergency can be reviewed and terminated at any time within the initial six months, as proclaimed, based on progress made about peace.
Recall that the development has split Nigerians and has continued to attract severe criticisms, after President Tinubu on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Rivers and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months following the political crisis that had rocked the state.
But two days after Tinubu’s declaration, the House of Representatives, in a voice vote, backed the President, giving a seal of approval to his decision.
Their support came following a letter from the president.
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