Nigeria’s House of Representatives has approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, marking a dramatic turn in the state’s ongoing political turmoil. The approval, granted on Thursday, March 20, 2025, follows Tinubu’s nationwide address on Tuesday, March 18, where he cited governance paralysis, prolonged political crises, and rising security threats, including rampant pipeline vandalism, as reasons for the drastic measure.
The House’s ratification came after President Tinubu formally requested legislative backing, as required under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution. During Thursday’s plenary session, 243 lawmakers debated the proclamation before passing it through a voice vote, with an overwhelming majority supporting the motion.
With this approval, the declaration now awaits publication in the official gazette and final ratification by a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly.
As part of the emergency rule, the House has recommended that the National Assembly take over the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly for the six-month duration. Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all state lawmakers have been suspended, effectively placing the state’s governance under federal control.
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Reactions to the move have been swift and polarized. Supporters argue that Tinubu’s intervention is necessary to restore order in Rivers State, a key economic hub for Nigeria’s oil sector. However, critics, including the Nigerian Bar Association and opposition parties, have condemned the declaration as unconstitutional and an overreach of executive power.
Legal experts warn that the decision could face significant judicial challenges in the coming days.
Despite the controversy, the House of Representatives’ approval solidifies the legal framework for Tinubu’s emergency rule, at least from the lower chamber. As Nigerians watch closely, the fate of Rivers State’s political landscape remains uncertain, with potential implications for governance, security, and constitutional law in the country.
