Amid mounting opposition by leaders of opposition parties, concerned citizens and other stakeholders to the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State, the House of Representatives has approved the action of president Bola Tinubu, but with some amemndments.
The House granted the approval after debating the President’s letter which Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House read before commencement of the debate.
However, a cross-section of leaders and political stakeholders from across the country, have come together to address, what they regard as ‘dangerous and unconstitutional actions taken by President Tinubu on March 18, 2025—to wit, the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State and the illegal suspension of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and the State House of Assembly.
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At a joint conference addressed by former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, he said the action is “not only unlawful but a clear attempt to subvert democracy and impose federal control over a duly elected state government. We strongly condemn this development and call on all Nigerians of good conscience to resist this brazen assault on constitutional governance.”
The Nigerian Bar Association, Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, among others, have criticised the action of the Federal Government.
However, the approval by the House of Representatives members was given through a voice vote and not the procedural headcount, though the speaker said 243 members were in attendance.
But, the House ammended and approved that the sole Administrator should report to the National Assembly, not FEC, citing section 11 subsection 4 of the Constitution.
