The Nigerian House of Representatives, despite prior assurances, failed to address President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State during its plenary session on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. The House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, had previously confirmed the receipt of President Tinubu’s official communication regarding the state of emergency and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state lawmakers. This communication, requesting legislative approval as stipulated by Section 305 of the Constitution, was expected to be read and deliberated upon during the Wednesday plenary session. However, the anticipated discussion did not take place.
The postponement of the deliberation stemmed from the poor attendance recorded during the Wednesday session, with fewer than 120 lawmakers present in the 360-member chamber. A quorum, the minimum number of members required to conduct official business, was not met. Sources indicated that the lawmakers opted to defer the discussion to the Thursday session, anticipating a higher turnout that would allow for a more robust and representative debate on the significant constitutional matter. This delay underscores the importance of quorum in legislative processes, ensuring decisions are made with the participation of a substantial proportion of elected representatives.
The backdrop to this parliamentary procedure is President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Citing political unrest and disputes between the governor and the state lawmakers as the primary reason for the drastic measure, Tinubu’s proclamation suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for a period of six months. This action effectively removed the elected officials from their positions, transferring executive and legislative powers to an appointed administrator.
As part of the emergency measures, President Tinubu appointed Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd), a former Chief of Naval Staff, as the administrator of Rivers State. Ibas’s appointment places him in charge of the state’s governance during the six-month period of the state of emergency. His role encompasses both executive and legislative functions, effectively replacing the suspended governor and state assembly. This appointment signifies a significant shift in the state’s political landscape, placing its governance under direct federal oversight during the declared emergency.
The declaration of a state of emergency and the subsequent suspension of elected officials in Rivers State raises crucial constitutional and political questions. Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution outlines specific conditions under which the President can declare a state of emergency, including situations of war, threats of war, or imminent breakdown of public order and public safety. The President’s justification for invoking this constitutional provision in Rivers State centers on the alleged political instability and disputes between the governor and the lawmakers. The House of Representatives’ role in this process is to scrutinize the President’s justification and determine whether it meets the constitutional threshold for declaring a state of emergency. Their deliberation and eventual vote will carry significant weight in determining the legality and legitimacy of the President’s actions.
The postponement of the House’s deliberation on this matter highlights the procedural intricacies of governance. The requirement of a quorum ensures a representative debate and decision-making process. The delayed discussion also allows for more members to familiarize themselves with the intricacies of the situation in Rivers State and the constitutional implications of the President’s declaration. It emphasizes the importance of thorough consideration of such significant national issues within the legislative chamber. The outcome of the eventual debate and vote in the House of Representatives will significantly impact the political landscape of Rivers State and set a precedent for future invocations of emergency powers under the Nigerian Constitution.
