Northern reps caucus declares ‘total support’ for emergency rule in Rivers

The northern caucus in the house of representatives has declared “total support” for the emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers state.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Ado Doguwa, chairman and leader of the northern caucus, the northern lawmakers said the green chamber “cannot allow miscreants and politically motivated thugs to continue destroying vital infrastructure at the expense of the national economy”.

“In view of the ongoing discourse on the State of Emergency in Rivers state, We are compelled to state clearly that the steps taken by Mr. President and C in C of the federal republic of Nigeria are apt, timely and constitutionally appropriate,” the statement reads.

“We as a legislative institution will not allow Mr. President’s constitutional declaration of emergency to fail.

“The opposition is simply trying to be political about this matter. While we are not insensitive to the constitutional imperatives and implications involved, We will not ignore or take for granted the derailment of law and order in Rivers state.

“In the circumstances therefore, I would like to, on behalf of the Northern Caucus of the 10th House of Representatives, state that we are in total support of the state of emergency declared by Mr. President in the discharge of his constitutional powers as clearly stated in section 305 of the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria”.

Doguwa said the federal lawmakers were “guided by their moral conscience and commitment to protecting democratic ideals” by approving Tinubu’s request for emergency rule in Rivers state.

On Tuesday, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers and appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as Rivers state’s sole administrator.