News

Reps to Debate President Tinubu’s State of Emergency Declaration in Rivers At Wednesday Plenary

Published

10 hours ago

March 19, 2025

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives is set to deliberate on President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

This follows constitutional provisions that require the National Assembly to consider such a proclamation within two days if in session or within ten days if not.

A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Patrick Umoh, in an interview on the News @10 on Nigeira Television Authority (NTA) explained that Wednesday plenary session will focus on the validity of the declaration and whether it aligns with the constitutional provisions.

Umoh emphasised that the president’s decision was made in response to threats to order and peace, as permitted under the Constitution.

“The President has done so, and there are reasons why this has been done, which are now public knowledge. It is the obligation of Parliament to consider the validity or otherwise of such a proclamation and then take our decision,” Umoh stated.

He also clarified that the House has the power to extend the state of emergency beyond six months if necessary, in line with Section 305 of the Constitution.

According to the lawmaker, he debate, will be conducted in collaboration with the Senate, given Nigeria’s bicameral legislative structure.

Addressing concerns that the state of emergency might lead to militarization and suspension of democratic structures in Rivers, Umoh disagreed with such views, insisting that the president’s decision aligns with democratic principles.

“I can’t concede to the argument of militarization. The decision to declare a state of emergency is in compliance with the Constitution. It is the discretion of Mr. President to appoint who administers the state where the declaration has been made,” he said.

On the possibility that the National Assembly might reject the declaration, Umoh noted that such a decision would mean the emergency rule cannot stand, as the Constitution requires legislative approval.

“If today the decision of Parliament does not go in sync with the declaration of the president, then the decision of emergency cannot stand. That’s the provision of the Constitution,” he stressed.

With the House expected to debate and take a resolution today, all eyes are on the National Assembly to determine the next steps in Rivers State.

News

JUST-IN: Fubara leaves Rivers govt house

Published

4 hours ago

March 19, 2025

Naijablitznews

Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has vacated the Government House in Port Harcourt.

The governor reportedly moved out on Wednesday morning, ahead of the anticipated arrival of Admiral Ekwe Ibas (rtd), who has been appointed as the new Sole Administrator of the state.

A visit by Daily Trust to the Government House on Wednesday morning revealed a calm atmosphere, with at least three armoured personnel carriers stationed at the main entrance.

A security source confirmed that there had been a change of guard at the seat of power, with all of the governor’s security details replaced.

“The governor left Government House this morning and the new administrator is yet to resume. We are expecting him any moment from now. The security details in Government House have been reshuffled. I can tell you that everywhere is calm and nothing is happening as we speak now,” the source said.

Meanwhile, residents of Port Harcourt have gone about their normal business, and there have been no signs of a breakdown of law and order.

This development follows President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, citing the ongoing vandalization of pipelines and the failure of political stakeholders to resolve the crisis despite previous interventions.

News

Rivers Crisis: Reps Adjourn Without Tinubu’s Communication

Published

4 hours ago

March 19, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…NASS has until Thursday to receive President Tinubu’s letter – Rep. Isiaka

By Gloria Ikibah

Despite earlier claims by the House of Representatives’ spokesperson, Rep. Akin Rotimi, that President Bola Tinubu had sent a communication regarding the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, lawmakers on Wednesday confirmed that no such message was received.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that on Tuesday, Rep Rotimi in a statement said that the House would read the President’s communication during Wednesday’s plenary. However, contrary to this, no letter from Tinubu was presented before the House adjourned its sitting to Thursday.

Addressing journalists after plenary, Rep. Adegboyega Isiaka clarified that the National Assembly still has until Thursday to receive the President’s communication. However, as of Wednesday’s session, no official correspondence had been received.

He said: “As we all see, it’s becoming very worrisome and becoming a threat to democracy itself. So I think that the step the President has taken is just to ensure that we put a halt to what is happening in Rivers.And I think in my view, of course there are opinions that maybe it’s against the Constitution and all of that.

“I’m not a lawyer, I’ve not looked at that very deeply. But whatever it is, that can be tested.But a leader has to take a step, and I think that is what has happened. In terms of it coming to the House, we also expected that that would happen today, but it has not happened. But I think the law also allows that that can be done within 48 hours.So the 48 hours is still within the time frame. So let’s see what happens tomorrow, and then we can take it down from there.

Responding to questions if some members avoided plenary so that the House will not form a quorum, he said, “I don’t think there was anything about people avoiding because there will not be quorum.

Speaking further he explained that: ” The law says that it must come, and I know that the President is a democrat and will do what is necessary. Well, the letter from the President has not come, so there must be a reason for that.I’ve not asked the spokesman what was responsible for that. But the most important thing is that there is no communication today.

News

Sole Administrator may not Takeover From Fubara until NASS ratifies

Published

5 hours ago

March 19, 2025

Naijablitznews

The appointed Sole Administrator for Rivers State, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd), will not take charge of the state’s affairs until the National Assembly ratifies the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Recall in a nationwide address on Tuesday, Tinubu announced that Vice Admiral Ibas would take over the administration of Rivers State, following the escalating political crisis that has seen the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

President Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency and suspend key officials in the state comes amid a political standoff between Governor Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, now serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The declaration aims to restore order and resolve the ongoing crisis that has paralyzed governance in the state.

Despite the President’s declaration, sources who spoke with TheNation indicate that Vice Admiral Ibas is yet to assume leadership in Rivers State. He is expected to do so only once the National Assembly ratifies the state of emergency.

No Military Presence At Government House
Interestingly, despite declaring a state of emergency, according to TheNation, there has been no military presence at the entrance of the Government House in Port Harcourt.

Chairpersons Shared N655.932 Billion In April
Unlike previous reports indicating military deployment, investigations revealed no military tanks or personnel were stationed at the Government House gates on Wednesday.

Instead, personnel from the Department of State Security (DSS) were observed patrolling the premises. Two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), which are regularly stationed at the Government House by the police, were seen near the entrance.

However, no additional military units were present to enforce the state of emergency.

The governor reportedly moved out on Wednesday morning, ahead of the anticipated arrival of Ibas, who has been appointed as the new Sole Administrator of the state.