The Nigerian Senate, on Thursday, approved and adopted President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation imposing a six-month suspension on Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. The decision was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio following a closed-door session that lasted over an hour.
Akpabio revealed that President Tinubu had formally communicated the proclamation to the Senate through an official letter, which was read aloud during plenary. The letter, in accordance with Section 305, Subsection 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), outlined the details of the emergency measures taken in Rivers State.
According to the letter, the key provisions of the proclamation include:
A State of Emergency declaration in Rivers State.
The suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The appointment of Vice-Admiral Iboete Iba as the Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs, subject to directives issued by President Tinubu.
President Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite the constitutional process regarding the proclamation. Akpabio, after reading the letter, immediately committed it to the Committee of the Whole Senate for prompt approval.
Following the reading, Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) raised a Point of Order, citing Order 133, which concerns the necessity of a closed-door session for such a critical discussion. However, after deliberation, the Senate proceeded to pass the resolution, endorsing the presidential proclamation.
