The House of Representatives has voted overwhelming in support of the State of Emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
The approval was via voice vote at plenary on Thursday.
The motion which was moved by the majority leader, Julius Ihonvbere, passed with amendments at the session attended by two hundred and forty three (243) members.
The Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Phillip Agbese, called for the inauguration of a National Peace and reconciliatory committee to mediate among the parties involved in political crisis in Rivers State.
The House in a motion by a member from Delta State, Ben Etanabene, approved the taking over of the legislative activities of the Rivers State House of Assembly in line with the section 11 subsection 4 of the Constitution.
In another amendment by the Deputy Chief Whip, Ali JC, House noted that the proclamation should not be cast in stone emphasizing that the status of the emergency rule should be constantly reviewed and lifted if peace is restored before the given six months.
Earlier in the day, the House received a Letter on the subject from President Bola Tinubu and it was read on the floor by the Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
Before reading the presidential communication, the House dissolved into an executive session which lasted for about 10 minutes.
Attempt by Abia lawmaker, Obi Agwuncha, to stop the debate on the general principles of the letter citing Section 305 (6b) of the Constitution, which requires that the House must have two-thirds of its members in plenary, was overruled by the Speaker who assured that all constitutional requirements will be followed.
Recall that President Tinubu on Tuesday night in a live broadcast, declared State of Emergency in Rivers State citing break down of law and order arising from Political crisis in the State.
In the declaration President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy and Members of Rivers State House of Assembly for initial period of six months and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (Rtd), a former chief of naval staff, as the administrator of the state.
