Declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers Borne out of ‘Patriotism, Concern for Security’ of the People- Speaker Abbas

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has said that the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State was borne out of “patriotism” and “deep concern for the security and welfare” of the people of Rivers State.

 

Abbas made the declaration on Tuesday, in Abuja while inaugurating a 21-man committee to oversee the affairs of the sole administration in Rivers State.

 

The Speaker stated that with the declaration of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and dissolution of the state House of Assembly, the National Assembly has the constitutional responsibility of making and amending laws for the state.

 

While charging the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight with monitoring the activities of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), Speaker Abbas asked the administrator to report to the National Assembly for legislative approvals.

 

He said in part: “It is instructive to recall past instances where our nation has faced similar challenges. We witnessed state emergencies in Plateau State in 2004 and Ekiti State in 2006. Similarly, in 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States after a series of deadly attacks by terrorists and militant groups. In those periods of dire security and governance challenges, the National Assembly assumed a vital role in upholding constitutional order.

 

“When state institutions were suspended, the intervention of the National Assembly ensured continuity in governance. Our actions today are grounded in Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which confers upon us the authority to make laws for any state whose elected legislative body is unable to perform its statutory functions.

 

“Accordingly, in response to the President’s declaration and in accordance with our constitutional duty, the Official Gazette of the State of Emergency was duly transmitted to both the House and Senate. On 20th March 2025, the chambers deliberated extensively and approved the President’s request with significant amendments designed to reinforce democratic safeguards and ensure robust oversight. These resolutions were duly forwarded to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for implementation. The Certified True Copies of this will be made available to this committee.

 

“It is paramount to note that the current administration in Rivers State is inherently temporary. With the suspension of the State Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, and the entire House of Assembly, a caretaker administration has been installed under the stewardship of Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.). His role is strictly circumscribed, as he is charged with maintaining law and order and ensuring that the basic functions of governance are met only until full democratic governance is restored.

 

“The administrator is required to operate with the highest levels of transparency and accountability, reporting directly to the National Assembly on all matters that pertain to the peace, order and good government of the State as prescribed by the Constitution.”

 

The Speaker noted that the moment marks not only a critical milestone in the parliament’s constitutional mandate but also a display of the lawmakers’ dedication to transparent governance and the rule of law in the country.

 

He described the six-month emergency declared by President Tinubu, which was based on Section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), as a “decisive action” that was taken “out of genuine patriotism and a deep concern for the security and welfare of both the people of Rivers State and our country as a whole.”

 

He added: “The President’s extraordinary actions were not taken lightly. They reflect a profound sense of duty and responsibility and a recognition that when democratic institutions falter, decisive action is necessary to protect the interests of the nation. This same sense of duty underpins our proceedings today.”

 

Speaker Abbas stated that inauguration of the 21-member committee, chaired by the Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), and deputised by the Minority Whip, Hon Ali Isah (PDP, Gombe), “reaffirms our constitutional commitment to transparent governance.”

 

Citing Section 5 of the State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation 2025, and pursuant to Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, the Speaker pointed out that the committee has a clear and non-partisan mandate.

 

“Its purpose is to monitor the implementation of federal directives and policies in Rivers State, ensure that the caretaker administration adheres to the law, and protect the public interest while facilitating the re-establishment of full democratic governance in the state,” he said.