Nigerian lawmakers face mounting pressure to approve President Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration in Rivers State, set for a decision today
There are growing indications that Nigerian lawmakers at the National Assembly are under increasing pressure to approve President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration in Rivers State.
Also read: President Tinubu declares State of Emergency in Rivers State over political crisis
The deadline for the rectification is today, Thursday, as required by the Nigerian Constitution, leaving little time for lawmakers to act.
A reliable source at the National Assembly, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development to *DAILY POST* on Wednesday evening.
This follows President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, a move that saw the suspension of all democratically elected authorities in the state, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the state House of Assembly.
Tinubu’s decision has sparked widespread condemnation across Nigeria, with many questioning the legal and political implications of the move.
The President cited security concerns and an unresolved crisis in the state as the basis for the state of emergency declaration, in line with Section 305 of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution.
However, Section 305 also specifies that such a proclamation must be presented to the National Assembly for approval within two days if the legislature is in session, or within ten days if not in session.
Since neither the House of Representatives nor the Senate rectified the proclamation during their plenary sessions on Wednesday, President Tinubu now faces a crucial deadline today to ensure that the state of emergency in Rivers State is formally approved.
A source close to the National Assembly indicated that lawmakers are likely to approve the state of emergency declaration on Thursday.
“I can reliably tell you that the proclamation will be rectified on Thursday. Many of us have been approached,” press was unable to independently confirm the information with official spokespersons from the National Assembly, such as Akin Rotimi for the House of Representatives and Yemi Adaramodu for the Senate.
Meanwhile, reactions to the state of emergency declaration have been swift and vocal. On Wednesday, President Tinubu swore in Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers State.
However, the decision has been met with widespread criticism. Organised labour unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), condemned the state of emergency and called for its immediate reversal.
Opposition leaders, including the 2023 presidential candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party, along with senior legal practitioners, have also expressed strong disapproval of Tinubu’s actions, further fuelling the controversy surrounding the proclamation.
