The much-anticipated Senate debate on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers State faced an unexpected delay on Wednesday due to the poor attendance of lawmakers.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, Jimoh Ibrahim, disclosed that the session was pushed to Thursday to accommodate absent legislators, particularly those observing Ramadan.
“Tomorrow morning, the proclamation will be debated. By then, information would have reached other members. Some are fasting and praying at home, but they will be present tomorrow. At 10 o’clock, we will take it up. We are in alignment with Mr. President,” Ibrahim stated.
The emergency rule, announced on Tuesday night, saw the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the entire state assembly, with Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) appointed as the sole administrator for six months. Tinubu’s decision, citing political instability and security threats, has sparked heated discussions across the country.
Despite having a quorum, the Senate leadership chose to delay the debate to ensure broader participation. The motion, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, referenced rising security concerns, including militant threats and pipeline vandalism.
Ibrahim reassured Nigerians that the emergency rule was not a total dissolution of democratic institutions but a temporary intervention. “The President did not dissolve democratic structures; he only suspended them for six months to allow all parties to resolve their differences and restore stability in Rivers State,” he explained.
With a two-thirds majority (73 out of 109 senators) required for approval, all eyes are now on Thursday’s session, where lawmakers will determine the fate of Rivers State under emergency rule.