The Nigerian Senate has suspended its plenary session and postponed the debate on President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State until Thursday, March 20, 2025.
The debate was postponed due to the delay in the commencement of the plenary on Wednesday, March 19.
The debate was initially scheduled to begin at 3 pm, but Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who moved the motion, stepped down discussions on the matter citing Order 1(b) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended).
Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), seconded the motion, emphasizing the importance of addressing the crisis in Rivers State.
The motion read, “Worried that there is a clear and present danger of the crises as some militants had threatened fire and brimstone, with security reports indicating disturbing incidents of vandalization of oil pipelines.
“Convinced that there is the need to provide adequate and extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order, and security in Rivers State.”
Earlier, the Senate confirmed receiving correspondence from President Bola Tinubu regarding the six-month suspension imposed on Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
Recall that President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on Tuesday in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
In a national broadcast, Tinubu cited prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats as reasons for the extraordinary measure.
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