Rivers Crisis: Abaribe discloses what the National Assembly must do before state of emergency will be effective

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The proclamation of emergency issued by President Bola Tinubu on Rivers State will require the approval of federal lawmakers, according to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South in the National Assembly.

He stated that one of the constitutional procedures entailed in such activities is the National Assembly’s permission.

According to ZINGTIE, In an interview on Tuesday night, Senator Abaribe provided an update on President Tinubu’s announcements concerning the political crisis that has overtaken Rivers State and the National Assembly’s potential role in the matter.

He said, “The constitution states very clearly that the National Assembly will have to approve it, and then, of course, if there is any other regulation that needs to be made or any other thing according to the constitution, that’s what we have to do in the National Assembly.”

He went on to say that although a joint session of the two houses might not be necessary, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives would need to inform the lawmakers about the situation in Rivers State.

Although he acknowledged that a state of anarchy was unavoidable, Abaribe stated that he did not anticipate the imposition of a state of emergency since he believed there was still time for a political settlement.

“I think, eventually, we must come to a consensus. No one wants a situation where there is anarchy in the country,” he said.

ZINGTIE remembers that on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu proclaimed a state of emergency in Rivers State as part of a concerted effort to restore government and order to the state.

Following months of growing political discontent and the state’s leadership’s inability to address the crisis—including the ongoing suspension of the state’s legislative processes—the declaration was made.

In a nationwide broadcast, the president suspended Siminalayi Fubara as Rivers State’s governor, along with Ngozi Odu, the state’s deputy governor, and every member of the State House of Assembly, for a six-month term.

After that, he appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to oversee state affairs.

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