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The Nigerian Senate has approved the State of Emergency for Rivers State as declared by President Bola Tinubu.
The upper legislative chamber also approved a six-month suspension of Governor Sim Fubara, his Deputy and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
This is coming after a closed door session where the lawmakers deliberated on the matter.
The Eastern Updates reports that the House of Representatives had earlier approved the State of Emergency via voice votes.
President Tinubu’s proclamation of the State of Emergency in Rivers State, had stirred controversy with condemnation from several stakeholders.
Despite the outrage, the two legislative chambers on Thursday gave approval for the emergency rule in Rivers State.
Embattled Governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara, has vowed to engage all relevant institutions in ensuring that democracy remains strong in the state.
Fubara gave the assurance after President Bola Tinubu suspended him for six months and declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Tinubu had taken the decision as part of efforts to restore sanity to Rivers State following the crisis between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.
He also appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the state’s administrator to oversee governance.
In a nationwide address on Tuesday, the President also suspended the Rivers State deputy governor and members of the state House of Assembly.
However, Fubara, in a statement he personally signed said: “Our priorities remained the security of lives and property and advancing the well-being and prosperity of Rivers people.
