Senate moves into closed session to discuss emergency rule in Rivers

The senate has gone into a closed session to deliberate on President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers state.

Thursday’s plenary commenced with Senate President Godswill Akpabio reading Tinubu’s request for approval from the red chamber.

Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele subsequently moved a motion for a closed session in pursuant to Order 135 of the senate rules.

The motion was seconded by senate minority leader Abba Moro.

The house of representatives had earlier in the day approved the president’s emergency rule proclamation.

The seal of approval was issued via voice vote during plenary in the green chamber.

Prominent figures, including Anap Foundation founder Atedo Peterside, had asked the national assembly to avoid using voice votes to determine the issue.

“A two-thirds majority cannot be achieved via a voice vote. Members voting for or against the Resolution to ratify the President’s Emergency actions must identify themselves and cast their votes individually,” Peterside had said.

CONTENTIOUS STATE OF EMERGENCY

On Tuesday, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the south-south state, citing the protracted political crisis.

The president also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Ngozi Odu, his deputy, and all Rivers assembly members for six months.

Tinubu nominated Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral and former chief of naval staff, as the administrator.

The president’s decision had elicited widespread pushback and criticism from opposition leaders — including his former allies.

TheCable had earlier reported that the president’s bid to secure two-thirds majority in the national assembly to approve his declaration was proving to be a herculean venture.

Some lawmakers told TheCable that both the senate and house of representatives were struggling to form a quorum because many members were out of the country.

The quorum for senate is 37 while that of the house is 120.