The National Assembly on Thursday voted overwhelmingly in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a State of emergency in Rivers State.

The House of Representatives was the first amongst the two chambers to vote in support of the emergency rule.

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Rivers and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months following the political crisis that had rocked the state.

Two days after the move, Tinubu wrote to the National Assembly, seeking their approval for the emergency rule declaration.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbass read the president’s letter during a plenary session on Thursday. When put in a voice vote, the lawmakers overwhelmingly backed President Tinubu’s declaration, approving his decision.

According to Abbass, 240 lawmakers attended the session, meaning there was a quorum.

Like the Representatives, the Senate also approved the President’s proclamation, invoking its constitutional powers under the amended 1999 Constitution.

This approvals grant President Tinubu the authority to enforce emergency measures while mandating a review of the situation at any time, but no later than six months.

The National Assembly has also imposed a joint committee of both chambers, to oversee the administration of affairs in Rivers State during the emergency period.

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