The National Assembly, on Thursday, endorsed the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday.
The resolution was taken at separate plenary sessions of the two chambers where they deliberated on the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu and the state Assembly members.
The parliament backed Tinubu’s proclamation amidst calls from the opposition leaders to reject it.
Fubara, however, broke his silence yesterday and debunked allegations by the Federal Government that he teleguided attacks on oil installations by suspected militant groups in the state.
Also, the governor said claims that he did nothing to rebuild the bombed state House of Assembly after he ordered the demolition of the facility was untrue.
Fubara said he acted on expert advice before demolishing the Assembly complex, which was said to have integrity issues.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, the suspended governor said it was important to put the records straight.
He insisted that the allegations were untrue, saying the attacks were ignited by the comments of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike who during his media chat allegedly disparaged the Ijaw nation.
Fubara said Wike was adamant even when Ijaw leaders and groups demanded his apologies.
Fubara’s statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to a number of allegations claiming that Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, did nothing to dissuade criminal groups and militants from making good their threats to attack oil installations in the state.
“There was also another claim that after demolishing the hallowed chamber of the state House of Assembly on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, the governor did nothing to rebuild the facility.
“Ordinarily, we would have ignored the statements as mere results of lack of adequate information to the Presidency by those tasked with the responsibility of providing same to guide decision-making, but it has become imperative to set the records straight and correct the erroneous impression such narratives are creating in the minds of the Nigerian people.”
On the other hand, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read a letter from Tinubu during plenary.
During the session, Akpabio called for a voice vote, and the lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the request.
Announcing the outcome, Akpabio stated that the Senate had exercised its powers under Section 305(2) of the Constitution to endorse the President’s proclamation.
“We hope that the President’s declaration will foster peace and resolve the ongoing impasse in Rivers State,” Akpabio remarked.
Additionally, the Senate urged Tinubu to establish an ad hoc committee composed of eminent Nigerians to mediate between the warring factions in Rivers State.
