The Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, was named as chairman of the committee. The senate has set up an 18-member committee to oversee the activities of the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.). The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced the constitution of the committee during the senate’s plenary on Tuesday, explaining that it was established to enhance transparency and accountability in the governance of Rivers State. The Leader of...
Where is the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)? Where is the Labour Party (LP)? Their collective silence in the face of this constitutional breach is a national embarrassment. By Charles Jiduwah The political crisis in Rivers State has laid bare the troubling weaknesses of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. What started as a battle for control between Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged political benefactor, Minister Nyesom Wike, has escalated into a full-blown constitutional crisis—one now exacerbated by...
The way and manner the senate handled the president’s state of emergency declaration echoes widespread concerns of a rubber stamp parliament The historic approval of a state of emergency in Rivers state witnessed high-stakes drama that tested Nigeria’s democracy, the rule of law, and the very fabric of legislative independence. Just as the dust from Sen. Natasha’s case began to settle, the senate faced an even bigger storm, the escalating political turmoil in Rivers state....
The Senate also resolved that the state of emergency declared in the proclamation may be reviewed or terminated by the President at any time, but it must not exceed a period of six months. The senate has formally approved the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers state, following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration that cited the deepening political turmoil and worsening security situation in the oil-rich South-South state. The senate also resolved that the...
While no reason was officially offered for the delay in approving the state of emergency, observers say the decision may be linked to behind-the-scenes consultations. The senate on Wednesday, delayed its planned debate on the motion seeking approval for the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State. The motion, which was listed as the first item on the order paper, was unexpectedly stepped down without any detailed explanation. Sponsored by the Leader of...
Once touted as the biggest political party, the PDP has receded drastically in fortunes from majority to minority in the National Assembly within the last 25 years of the federal legislature For certain, the mantra of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of being the largest party in Africa has been stopped dead. In the past few years, the party has experienced a wave of defections despite its 16-year domination of Nigeria’s electoral politics, which was...
