The house of representatives has approved a recommendation requiring Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Rivers state administrator, to report to the National Assembly instead of the federal executive council (FEC).
BACKGROUND
On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political crisis in the south-south state.
The president also suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; Ngozi Odu, his deputy; and members of the state assembly.
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Tinubu nominated Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, to administer the state.
The president said the administrator would not make any new laws but can formulate regulations subject to the review and approval of the federal executive council and promulgated by the president for the state.
THE RECOMMENDATION
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While approving the president’s emergency rule on Thursday, Etanabene Benedict from Delta state, cited section 11 of the constitution, proposed that the administrator should report to the national assembly and not to the federal executive council as announced by the president.
The house recommended that a national peace and reconciliation committee be constituted “with members drawn from the federal executive council, the national assembly and other eminent Nigerians to foster sustainable peace and harmony amongst the warring factions in Rivers state”.
Lawmakers also advised the president to consider lifting the suspension of the governor and the assembly members “any moment that peace is deemed to have been satisfactorily achieved between the warring factions in Rivers before the expiration of the blanket period of six months”.
The proposals were put to a voice vote by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, and approved by lawmakers.
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The senate has also approved the president’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers state after an executive session.
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