Confirming THE WHISTLER Exclusive Report, NASS Amends Decision On Tinubu’s Emergency Rule

…Proposes Condition For Fubara’s Return In 3 Months

The National Assembly, ahead of Thursday’s plenaries of both chambers, amended its position on President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

At a meeting held behind closed doors, the lawmakers agreed to propose conditions for the early return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who was suspended when President Tinubu declared emergency rule in Rivers on Tuesday.

Fubara was suspended alongside his deputy and all lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly over the political crisis in the state.

A lawmaker at the meeting informed THE WHISTLER that they had modified their earlier resolution to reduce the emergency rule from six months to three months. Instead, they have agreed not to impose a strict timeline on the president’s declaration.

“We agreed that we can’t limit the president to three months and the president will lift it (the emergency rule) if the situations improve before the three months once the peace and reconciliation committee finishes its job,” the lawmaker who requested anonymity told THE WHISTLER.

He added, “The emergency rule can even be lifted within 6 months or even a month or two after” once peace is achieved in the oil-producing state.

President Tinubu had appointed and swore in Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as the sole administrator of Rivers before the National Assembly deliberated on the matter.

THE WHISTLER gathered that after wide consultations, the lawmakers proposed three key amendments to the president’s proclamation.

These include the possibility of reviewing the emergency rule after three months, establishing oversight of the sole administrator by a National Assembly joint ad hoc committee, and creating peace and reconciliation mechanisms to facilitate the return to democratic rule in the state.

The reconciliation committee will involve members from the National Assembly, the Executive, and other relevant stakeholders to be appointed by the President.

The Rivers crisis stemmed from a long-standing political feud between Governor Fubara and his former political godfather, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

The situation escalated in December 2023 when Governor Fubara demolished the State House of Assembly building amid his rift with state lawmakers, the majority of whom are said to be loyal to Wike.

Confirming THE WHISTLER Exclusive Report, NASS Amends Decision On Tinubu’s Emergency Rule is first published on The Whistler Newspaper