The Nigerian Senate has postponed its debate on President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. The discussion has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 20, 2025.
The delay in the plenary session’s commencement prompted Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader, to move for the postponement of the debate. Citing Order 1(b) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended), Bamidele recommended deferring the discussion to the next legislative day. This motion was seconded by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, and subsequently approved by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The state of emergency in Rivers State was declared by President Tinubu on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, following reports of pipeline vandalism and escalating security concerns in the region. In his address, President Tinubu cited “disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militants without the governor taking any action to curtail them” as a primary reason for the federal intervention.
As part of the emergency measures, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were suspended for an initial period of six months. Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas has been appointed as the state’s sole administrator during this period.
The Senate’s forthcoming debate is expected to address the legal and constitutional implications of the state of emergency, as well as strategies to restore peace and stability in Rivers State.
