ROWDY SESSION IN REPS AS LAWMAKERS SET TO DEBATE EMERGENCY RULE IN RIVERS STATE

Members of the house of representatives are locked in a heated exchange as the green chamber prepares to debate the emergency rule in Rivers state.

The shouting match began as the legislators entered the chamber — way before the commencement of plenary.

On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political crisis in the south-south state.

The president also suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; Ngozi Odu, his deputy; and members of the state assembly.

Tinubu nominated Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, to administer the state.

Akin Rotimi, spokesperson of the house of representatives, had said Tinubu consulted the national assembly before the emergency proclamation.

He said Tinubu met with the leadership of the national assembly, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house; Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker; Michael Bamidele, senate leader; Julius Ihonvbere, leader of the house; and Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA), before the broadcast.

Rotimi said Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP); Adeola Ajayi, director-general of the State Security Service (SSS); and Mohammed Mohammed, director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), also attended the meeting.

Rotimi added that Tinubu’s letter informing the house of representatives of his decision, and seeking approval on the state of emergency in Rivers in line with section 305 of the constitution, has been transmitted to the green chamber and would be read during plenary on Wednesday for further legislative action.

The house is now in session.