The River State of Emergency declaration made on March 18, 2025, has left the state in a state of suspense as the outcome remains inconclusive, even after swearing in the newly unilaterally appointed Administrator by the Nigerian President.
According to sources, the emergency declaration was made without consulting the National Assembly, thereby such utterances violates the Nigerian democratic process.
To seal the State of Emergency in River State Tinubu requires 2/3 of each of the Senate and House of Representatives.
As it stands APC only has a simple majority in both houses.
If by tomorrow, 48 hours after the announcement Tinubu is unable to get a 2/3 from both Chambers the declaration will become null and void and Fubara by Friday morning will resume his functions as the Executive Governor of River State.
And here are the numbers.
SENATE
APC -58
PDP -37
Labour -7
SDP -2
NNPP -2
APGA -1
ADP -1
Vacant Seat-1
REPS:
APC-175
PDP-118
Labour -35
NNPP -19
APGA -5
ADC -2
SDP -2
YPP -1
Vacant Seats -3
Judging from the records above,
the President requires 72 Senators to get a 2/3rd and would need an additional 14 Senators from the opposition & and about 63 additional House members to get 240 Rep Members to get 2/3rd
What this means is that even if all APC Senators vote in support, they won’t still get the 72 Senators and even if all the APC Rep Members vote , they also won’t get it.
So, if the opposition parties can stick together or stay away from the Parliament then Tinubu’s declaration is as good as dead.
March 20th, 2025 remains significant in the practice of Democracy in Nigeria.
The state government has assured citizens that the situation is being closely monitored and that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure public safety.
As the clock ticks down to March 20, the people of Rivers State remain on edge, waiting with bated breath for the outcome of the emergency declaration.
