The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted in favor of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
During Thursday’s plenary session, Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas confirmed that 240 lawmakers attended the session, ensuring a quorum.
The majority of legislators voted in support of the emergency rule, following an official letter from the President detailing the necessity of urgent intervention to restore stability in the state.
The approval comes amid growing political unrest and a series of violent incidents that have threatened governance in Rivers State.
Security agencies had previously flagged increasing cases of violence, prompting calls for decisive government action.
Tensions in Rivers State have been on the rise due to political disputes between key factions, leading to street protests, clashes, and reported attacks on political figures.
The situation deteriorated further in recent weeks, with reports of armed confrontations and disruptions in governance structures.
Security operatives have been deployed to maintain order, but concerns over the worsening crisis led President Tinubu to seek legislative backing for a full state of emergency, allowing federal authorities to take direct control of security and administrative functions.
With the approval, security agencies will receive enhanced mandates to curb violence, while normal governance structures in the state may be temporarily altered.
The move has sparked mixed reactions, with some stakeholders supporting the action as necessary for restoring peace, while opposition voices have warned against potential abuse of power.
