Written by SpringNewsNG Media Limited, March 19, 2025.

Sources told SpringNewsNG Media Limited that Senate President Godswill Akpabio intentionally delayed the debate on the Rivers State emergency rule until 3 p.m. when most senators would have left the chamber.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, reportedly provided funds to Senate President Akpabio to rally senators in support of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Meanwhile, the Senate has confirmed receiving a formal communication from President Tinubu regarding the six-month suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and the House of Assembly.

However, the Senate deferred discussions on the matter until 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Although the motion to deliberate on Tinubu’s letter was listed as the first item on the day’s Order Paper, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) invoked Order 1(b) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended) to postpone the debate. The motion was seconded by Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South). Following the postponement, the Senate moved on to other agenda items, including the confirmation of nominees for the Police Service Commission (PSC).

Sources told SpringNewsNG Media Limited that Akpabio intentionally delayed the debate on the Rivers State emergency rule until 3 p.m. when most senators would have left the chamber.

“Wike allegedly provided money for Akpabio as they met yesterday after Tinubu told him to do the groundwork for the State of Emergency. Over $3 million was provided when Wike met Akpabio,” one of the sources said.

“Akpabio then invited some Senators to Iftar after which he gave them dollars depending on their seniority.”

However, sources said some senators, including former Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson, former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and several other former governors, did not attend the iftar.

“The announcement was made during iftar,” a source said.

“The senators requested an open vote, but Akpabio postponed it until 3 p.m. when most senators would have left the chamber. At least 72 senators are required to sign, but fewer than 60 were present today. The House of Representatives also needs a minimum of 240 votes. Meanwhile, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abass, was not informed, which explains the chaos in the House of Representatives today (Wednesday).”

SpringNewsNG Media Limited earlier reported that the House of Representatives on Wednesday failed to vote on President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State due to a low turnout of lawmakers at the plenary session.

Under Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, a presidential declaration of emergency must be ratified by a two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate within two days of issuance. However, with fewer than 80 lawmakers present — well below the required 120 members needed to form a quorum in the 360-member chamber — the House was unable to take any binding action on the President’s controversial declaration.

The House convened on Wednesday morning with the emergency proclamation listed under messages from the president. However, the low attendance prevented lawmakers from making any formal decisions, as House rules require a one-third quorum for decisions to hold legal weight.

The absence of a quorum limited the session to non-binding activities, such as debating motions and hearing petitions. Reports suggest that many lawmakers deliberately avoided the plenary session to avoid being seen as supporting what some constitutional experts have described as an unconstitutional act.

Tensions ran high ahead of the plenary, with some House members engaging in a shouting match over the state of emergency in Rivers State.

In a video seen by SpringNewsNG Media Limited, two female lawmakers were seen raising their voices.

One of the agitated lawmakers repeatedly asked, “Who is Nyesom Wike?” while the other responded in inaudible tones.

Other lawmakers attempted to pacify the two, who were at a boiling point.

President Tinubu’s declaration, announced on Tuesday evening during his nationwide broadcast, included the suspension of Governor Fubara, his Deputy, Odu, and State House of Assembly members for an initial six months.

President Tinubu also replaced Governor Fubara with retired Chief of Naval Staff Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as sole administrator.

However, legal scholars and opposition figures have argued that while the Nigerian Constitution allows the president to declare a state of emergency in all or parts of the country, it does not grant the president the authority to remove an elected governor.