Abuja, Nigeria – March 18, 2025
The National Assembly has affirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu consulted with its leadership before taking the decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other key lawmakers have expressed their unanimous support for the move, describing it as necessary to restore stability in the state.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Akpabio confirmed that Tinubu engaged both chambers of the National Assembly in discussions regarding the security and political crisis in Rivers before invoking emergency powers. “The President did not act unilaterally. He consulted extensively with the leadership of the National Assembly, and we all agreed that urgent measures were needed to prevent further deterioration in the state,” Akpabio stated.
He further noted that lawmakers across party lines acknowledged the severity of the situation and backed the decision. “It is our duty to ensure the safety of Nigerians, and the declaration of emergency was made in the interest of national security and governance,” he added.
The state of emergency comes amid rising political tension and security concerns in Rivers, which has witnessed clashes between opposing factions in recent weeks. The declaration allows the federal government to assume greater control over the state’s administration, pending a return to normalcy.
Meanwhile, opposition figures and some civil society groups have criticized the decision, calling for a more consultative approach to resolving the crisis. However, government officials maintain that the move was necessary to prevent further instability.
