President Bola Tinubu has formally notified the Senate of the six-month suspension imposed on Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. In a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu outlined the emergency measures, prompting the Senate to immediately convene a closed-door session.
Citing Section 305(2) of the 1999 Constitution, Tinubu detailed key provisions of the proclamation, including the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State, the suspension of the governor, deputy governor, and state lawmakers, and the appointment of Vice-Admiral Iboete Iba as the interim administrator. He urged the Senate to give the matter urgent consideration.
Following the letter’s reading, Akpabio swiftly committed it to the Senate for immediate deliberation. However, Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) raised a Point of Order, requesting a private session to discuss the matter. The plenary had earlier begun at noon with the National Anthem, and routine legislative proceedings followed before the emergency deliberation took center stage.