The Senate on Thursday officially passed and adopted President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation regarding the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
The decision was reached after a closed-door session that lasted over an hour, during which lawmakers discussed the implications of the suspension.
Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, made the announcement following the session, confirming that the Senate had relied on its Orders 133, 134, 135, and 136 in adopting the proclamation.
Earlier, Akpabio read aloud a letter from President Tinubu, which formally conveyed the proclamation.
The letter, delivered to the Senate, outlined the key details of the President’s action, which included the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
The President’s letter also informed the Senate of the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas as the sole administrator to oversee the affairs of the state during the period of emergency.
Tinubu’s letter emphasised that the action was in accordance with Section 305, Subsection 2 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
The letter read aloud at plenary by Akpabio said: “In compliance with the provisions of Section 305, Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I hereby forward, for the Constitution of the Senate, copies of the official Gazette of the State of Emergency Proclamation 2025.
“The main features of the proclamation are as follows.
“A declaration of a State of Emergency in one State of the Federation, namely, River State.
“The suspension from office of the Governor, his Deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly.
“An appointment of Vice-Admiral Iboete Iba, as the Administrator to administer the State something to any instruction or regulation as made from time to time be issued by me.
“While I look forward to the expeditious Constitution of the Senate, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
In his remarks, Akpabio confirmed that the letter was formally referred to the Senate’s Committee for immediate passage.
This action followed a motion raised by Senator Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Bayelsa West, who requested a closed-door session to discuss the matter further under Order 133 of the Senate’s rules.
