The Nigerian Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, following a similar endorsement by the House of Representatives.
The decision, made on March 20, 2025, grants the president the authority to implement emergency measures to address the escalating political crisis in the state.
Invoking its constitutional powers under the amended 1999 Constitution, the Senate mandated a review of the emergency situation within six months.
Additionally, a joint committee comprising members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives has been established to oversee the administration of Rivers State during this period.
In a bid to resolve the political impasse, the Senate also resolved to set up a mediation committee consisting of eminent Nigerians.
This committee will work to facilitate dialogue and reconciliation among the warring factions in the state.
The approval comes amid growing tensions in Rivers State, which have threatened governance and public order. The state of emergency declaration is seen as a necessary step to restore stability and ensure the safety of residents.
President Tinubu had earlier sworn in Ibok-Ete Ibas as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State on March 19, 2025, to oversee affairs during the emergency period. The move has sparked mixed reactions, with some stakeholders supporting the decision as a means to curb the crisis, while others view it as an overreach of federal authority.
The Senate’s decision underscores the federal government’s commitment to addressing the political turmoil in Rivers State. However, it remains to be seen how the mediation efforts will unfold and whether they will lead to a lasting resolution of the crisis.
