By Adesina Soyooye
The much-condemned declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, surprisingly, received an overwhelming endorsement by Members of the House of Representatives on Thursday, during Plenary.
Considering the shouting match in the House on Wednesday between two Members, not a few people thought that its debate on Thursday will be met with a stiff opposition.
But it had a smooth sail, reconfirming President Tinubu’s capacity to maneuver through any political obstacles to his decisions.
The President had, to the shock of many, on Tuesday, declared a six-month State of Emergency in the State over a face-off between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Members of the State House of Assembly loyal to Fubara’s estranged political godfather, Federal Capital Territory’s Minister, Nyesom Wike, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
Tinubu appointed a retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, as the Sole Administrator, and preceeded to swear him in on Wednesday.
The Governor, his Deputy, and all the Members of the House of Assembly were suspended from office for six months.
It is not known if the Governor will return to his seat as, the President, in his nationwide broadcast, tore him to pieces for being the architect of the crisis. The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, did the same, but added the step taken by the President saved Fubara and his Deputy, Dr. Ngozi Odu from impeachment by the House of Assembly.
At Plenary on Thursday, using a voice vote, President Tinubu’s decision was upheld by the House of Representatives.
Speaker of the House, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, who read the letter by the President to the House where he sought approval, said that 240 Representatives were present, and thus, formed a quorum.
The decision of the Senate is being awaited. It is likely to be endorsed too, but probably, not with an overwhelming approval.
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