The Senate has approved the state of emergency declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers State, despite strong opposition from political groups and civil society.
Tinubu had announced the emergency rule over a prolonged political crisis in the oil-rich state, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
While the decision sparked widespread criticism, the House of Representatives had already endorsed the proclamation before the Senate’s approval.
During Thursday’s plenary session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s request, after which the red chamber went into a closed-door session.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion under Order 135 of the Senate rules for a closed-door deliberation, seconded by Minority Leader Abba Moro.
Meanwhile a coalition of opposition parties, led by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had earlier denounced President Tinubu’s decision, calling it unconstitutional and politically motivated.
At a press briefing in Abuja, the coalition accused the Nigerian government of fabricating a crisis to justify an orchestrated power grab.
They rejected the claim that pipeline vandalism warranted emergency rule, stating that national security infrastructure falls under federal agencies, not state authorities.
The group called for the immediate reversal of the declaration, reinstatement of all suspended officials, and judicial intervention to prevent what they described as an abuse of constitutional powers.
The coalition also urged Nigerians to resist any attempt to erode democracy, warning that the decision sets a dangerous precedent that could lead to arbitrary removal of elected officials in the future.
