State of Emergency: Reps Members clash over Tinubu’s declaration

Two members of the House of Representatives, Marie Ebikake (Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency, Bayelsa) and Blessing Amadi (Port Harcourt Two Federal Constituency, Rivers), engaged in a heated argument on Wednesday over President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.

The confrontation occurred just before plenary, as the lawmakers discussed the political crisis in Rivers. Eyewitnesses said the argument quickly escalated, with both lawmakers shouting and pointing fingers at each other.

President Tinubu declared the emergency rule on Tuesday, citing political paralysis and governance failure in the state. He also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.

In his national address, Tinubu defended his decision, stating:

> *“I feel greatly disturbed by the political crisis in Rivers. The state has been at a standstill, and the people have been deprived of good governance.

Fourteen months after Governor Fubara demolished the House of Assembly, it remains unbuilt. Many Nigerians have intervened, just as I did. But their efforts have been to no avail.

No responsible President will stand by without taking action. To restore good governance and peace in this circumstance, it has become imperative to declare a state of emergency.”*

The President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the Sole Administrator to oversee governance in the state.

The declaration came just hours after an explosion at an oil facility in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area and a fire outbreak at the Trans-Niger Pipeline operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), further heightening tensions in Rivers.