Report by TSIBIRI SALIHU; Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
House of Representatives has approved the proclamation of State of Emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu for consideration by the National Assembly.
The House took the decision through a voice vote by two hundred and forty three (243) members out of the 360 lawmakers in the green chamber.
The proclamation was approved following an amendment by the house majority leader, Professor Julius Inhonvbere during a debate on the matter.
During the debate, a member from Delta State, Ben Etanabene, moved a motion calling for the taken over of legislative activities of the Rivers State House of Assembly in line with section 11 subsection 4 of the nation’s Constitution provision.
On his part, the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Mr Phillip Agbese, was of the opinion that a National Peace and reconciliatory committee would be inaugurated to mediate in resolving the political crisis in Rivers State.
The House in another amendment called on President Bola Tinubu to consider reviewing the Status of the State of Emergency within the given six months earlier announced as a step to have a smooth resolution of the inface.
National Assembly correspondent reports that the House received the Letter on the declaration of State of Emergency from President Bola Tinubu this Thursday and by the Speaker, Dr Tajudeen Abbas for necessary inputs from members before the final approval.
Recalled that President Bola Ahmad Tinubu declared a state of Emergency in Rivers state in line with the powers vested on him by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria suspending the state Governor, his Deputy and Members of Rivers State House of Assembly for a period of six months.
The President also announced the appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, as sole administrator for the period of six months.
