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Rivers: Senate set to debate emergency declaration today
The Senate has announced plans to debate the motion on the state of emergency declared in Rivers State during Thursday’s plenary session. This was confirmed by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Chairman of the Senate Inter-Parliamentary Committee, during a briefing in Abuja.
The motion, titled ‘Proclamation of State of Emergency in Rivers’ was sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and included in Wednesday’s Order Paper but was not debated. Ibrahim assured that it would be thoroughly discussed on Thursday without further delay.
Explaining the postponement, Ibrahim noted that Ramadan observance played a role. “Tomorrow morning, members will be informed. They are fasting and praying today at home,” Ibrahim stated during the briefing. “By 10 o’clock, they will be present, and we shall commence debate. Life and security matters are serious and cannot be treated lightly,” he added.
Ibrahim defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare the emergency, explaining that democratic institutions in Rivers were temporarily suspended, not dissolved, for six months to address the crisis. “The President did not dissolve democratic institutions. Suspension for six months allows time for dialogue and resolution,” Ibrahim emphasized. He highlighted that this measure was designed to foster peace and stability in Rivers State and align with constitutional provisions.
Addressing suggestions that the motion was postponed due to a lack of quorum, Ibrahim dismissed such claims, stating, “Two-thirds of the Senate equals 73. On Tuesday, 78 senators signed the register, including presiding and principal officers.” He explained that the decision to adjourn was to enable broader participation in Thursday’s session.
“Democracy values numbers and participation. We decided to adjourn for more inclusivity. Today, 68 senators signed in. Although there are 10 Senate leaders to reach, we had more than a quorum. We could have proceeded but avoided passing the proclamation while members were fasting or absent, to prevent misunderstandings,” Ibrahim clarified.
The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is based on Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, which grants the President the authority to take extraordinary measures in situations involving serious security threats. However, for the proclamation to remain valid, it must be debated and approved by the National Assembly within two days; otherwise, it will automatically expire.
Many citizens, however, have raised concerns that the decision could face legal challenges, particularly since it is perceived as unconstitutional or politically driven.
As the Senate prepares to deliberate, both legal and political analysts are keeping a close eye on the developments, anticipating how this unprecedented situation will play out in the days ahead.
Members of the Enugu State Caucus of Peoples Democratic Party, ( PDP) in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji , Rt. Hon. Martins Oke and Hon Anayo Onwuegbu have welcomed Rt. Hon. Dennis Agbo and Hon. Chidi Mark Obeta of Labour Party, (LP) to the PDP fold.
They observed that the visionary leadership of Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mba in Enugu State has ignited massive decamps and unprecedented upsurge of membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the state.
The caucus in a statement issued after the two members of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Dennis Agbo of Igboeze North/ Udenu and Chidi Mark Obeta who represents Nsukka/Igboeze South formally announced their transfer of membership to PDP at the resumption of House plenary on Tuesday said it was gladdening to receive them into the PDP fold.
They stressed that PDP in Enugu State was witnessing a great rebirth as a result of the transformative development agenda being unleashed in various sectors of the economy of the state by Governor Mba which has received global commendations.
The Enugu State caucus Leader, Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji on behalf of the members further noted that Governor Mba’s investments in infrastructure, agro economy, and security among others have made Enugu State a tourist’s haven adding that with the good governance structure he has put in place, his second tenure would be a walkover.
Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, along with twenty-one other former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), elected into the Assembly has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following a major realignment of political stakeholders across the state.
The defection of the twenty-two lawmakers has effectively transformed the Delta State House of Assembly into a one-party legislature, as the remaining seven members were originally elected on the ticket of the APC.
Announcing the development on Tuesday during the resumption of plenary after the Easter break, the Speaker stated that the decision was the result of extensive consultations with their constituents and political leaders throughout the state.
He emphasized that the move aligned with Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
While expressing appreciation to members for their contributions so far, Guwor urged the House to ensure the completion of all pending bills as the second legislative session nears its end.
He noted that the political shift towards the APC was in response to the realignment of stakeholders and the desire to align with the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
“The mass defection of members of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to the All Progressives Congress was made in the overall interest of Deltans and the state,” the Speaker said.
He explained that the decision followed extensive consultations held on April 23 and which cumulated on the official reception on April 28, 2025, at the Government House and the Cenotaph, respectively.
He said: “We are fully committed to partnering with the Federal Government to deliver greater development to Deltans.
“On behalf of the House, I commend the courage and visionary leadership of our Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in making this strategic and timely decision.
“As a legislative body, we stand with His Excellency in this endeavour. This renewed partnership between the state and Federal Government must be supported and allowed to flourish, so that we can begin to enjoy its benefits in the shortest possible time.”
He informed the House that he had received twenty-two letters (including his own) notifying of the change of party affiliation from the PDP to the APC.
The defection, he said, was driven by instability within the PDP’s national leadership and factional divisions within the South-South Zonal Executive Committee, leading to internal conflicts and disunity within the party.
Citing Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Speaker affirmed the constitutional basis for the defection.
“With this action, the Delta State House of Assembly is now composed entirely of members from the All Progressives Congress. We thank our constituents for endorsing this progressive course of action”.
A motion to adopt the letters of party change was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by Hon. Ferguson Onwo, who represents Isoko South II.
Speaking to journalists after the plenary, the Majority Leader, Hon Emeka Nwaobi reiterated that the defection was prompted by the crisis within the PDP.
“Our decision was based on the instability at the national level and the factionalization at the South-South level. Consequently, we chose to move to the ruling All Progressives Congress, in accordance with Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended,” he said.
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