RIVERS CRISIS: Reps Mandate Sole Administrator to Report

ADVERTISEMENT

…review, approve state of emergency

By Gloria Ikibah

A total of 243 members of the House of Representatives have endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s request for a state of emergency in Rivers State. As part of the decision, Governor Similayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state assembly have been suspended, while a sole administrator has been appointed for an initial six-month period.

The lawmakers emphasised that the appointed sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, will report directly to the National Assembly rather than the Federal Executive Council.

The approval followed a voice vote during Thursday plenary session, conducted in line with House Standing Order 1, 2 (1), which outlines that members may vote via voice, signature in a register, or electronic voting.

Naijablitznews.com reports that the House, upon resumption of plenary, went into an executive session to deliberate on the government’s official gazette declaring the emergency in Rivers State.

According to Order 16 (3) of the House Standing Rules, the Speaker is required to brief members on the circumstances leading to the emergency declaration and provide necessary documents. Following this briefing, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read the President’s letter on the House floor, after which it swiftly passed the first and second readings.

During a session of the Committee of the Whole, the House made three key recommendations:

A national reconciliation committee should be established to restore peace in Rivers State.
The National Assembly should assume legislative functions of the Rivers State Assembly for the duration of the emergency.
The President retains the discretion to lift the emergency at any point within the six-month period.

Leading the debate, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere criticized South-South leaders for failing to intervene early in the crisis. He argued that their inaction contributed to the situation’s escalation, stressing that lawmakers must prioritize stability in the region.

Ihonvbere also defended the President’s decision, stating that the intervention aims to create a framework for Rivers State’s progress while safeguarding the interests of its people.

He said: “We stand on the precipice of history.There is no doubting the fact that we have our definitions of democracy, of social, state of emergency.

“We have our own biases, I have mine. But on this issue, let us all step on the precipice and assist them to have a better population. let’s begin to work from the ground up to create the processes, the conversations, the negotiations that are necessary. To bring sustainable, credible, lasting, inclusive peace to Rivers state.

He called for constructive conversations and negotiations, encouraging fellow leaders to work towards sustainable and lasting peace.

“Let us all step on the precipice and assist them to have a better population.

Also speaking on the letter, former Deputy Speaker of the House, Idris Wase said “if I am to speak my mind, I am not going to disobey this very, very decisive decision. I want to believe that Nigeria must move forward.

Rep. Fredrick Agbedi, member representing Sagbaama/Ekeremor federal constituency of Bayelsa State, urged the speaker to announce the number present to form a quorum and ensure that the proceedings be carried out with integrity according to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

“Our constitution has prescribed what and what to do. It is in the integrity and interest of this house, Mr. Speaker, for you to announce the quorum as we are sitting.So that Nigerians will know that we are not circumventing the constitution.

“So Mr. Speaker, honorable colleagues, this is not about either supporting or opposing what Mr. President has said. But because of your impeccable leadership, the kind of leadership you have given to us in this house, and the kind of leadership that Nigerians have come to believe in, Mr. Speaker, it is good enough and I urge you that we comply strictly with the constitution by first transparently announcing the quorum as it is now for us to go into this debate”, he said.

In response to their request, the Speaker, Rep Tajudeen Abbas who presided over plenary insisted that there was an attendance register which will be used to determine number of members present on the floor.

Former Deputy Speaker, Rep. Idris Wase, encouraged members to support the request.

“If I am to speak my mind, I am not going to disobey this very, very decisive decision. I want to believe that Nigeria must move forward.We are not yet at the point of voting. So the point of voting, we are already being raised, but we get to the point of voting. That’s the way it was made”.

Speaking also Rep. Philip Agbese,(APC- Benue) noted that the ongoing crisis in River State, acknowledging that the declaration of a state of emergency was necessary.

He noted that the Nigerian parliament has a history of providing solutions to national challenges, particularly during times of crisis.

Agbese therefore recommended the that a national committee comprising executive members, parliamentarians, and eminent leaders be constitution to ensure peace and prevent future conflict in the state.

He said “One of our major achievements in this house has always been to provide solutions to problems as far as the continent is concerned. We are all aware of the challenges that face us today, the state of our democracy, and we are here as a people, as representatives of Nigerians, to provide solutions and ensure that our democracy works.

“Recommendations made in the proclamation by Mr. President that in the wake of this house, that we play with it in a way and manner that will help to build our democracy and make Nigeria a better place.

“My recommendation is that, as we have seen in time past, when this country was at a point of crisis, when national committees were settled, and we have also seen in time past even when there was no constitutional provision, the doctrine of decency was invoked to give life back to the country.

“It is in that way that he says that the emergency has been declared in the state, not because Mr. President hates any of the groups involved, but because Mr. President wants something better for our country. So, I want to recommend that a national committee be settled to comprise of the executive, members of the parliament, and eminent leaders, like we have seen in the past”, he stated.

Rep. Etanabene Benedict, member representing Okpe/Sapele federal constituency, stated that the ultimate goal must be to restore peace in Rivers State. He supported President Tinubu’s decision, but expressed concerns over certain constitutional provisions.

He said: “Section 305 of the Constitution cannot be read in isolation of Section 11, subsection 4, he argued that the sole administrator appointed in River State should report to the National Assembly rather than the Federal Executive Council.

“The ultimate goal is to have peace in River State.We must embrace that idea of the government and indeed as pushed forward by Mr. President. However, Section 305 of the Constitution of the United States I do not want to go into academic debates on what Section 305 is about.

“However, Section 305 cannot be read in isolation of Section 11, subsection 4 of the Constitution. And that deals with, if you permit me to read, that at any time when any House of Assembly of a State is unable to perform its function, by reason of the situation prevailing in that State, the National Assembly may make such laws for the peace, order and good government of that State with respect to matters in which a House of Assembly may make laws as may appear to the National Assembly on and on.

“But the bottom line here is listen to Mr. President’s proclamation where he said that the sole administrator will be reporting to the Federal Executive Council. I disagree with that position and insist that the provision of Section 11.4 of the Constitution should take precedence over that”.

The lawmakers through a voice vote adopted and approved the requests and recommendations made.