A low turnout prevented the House of Representatives from voting on President Bola Tinubu's request for legislative permission to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The session was attended by less than 80 lawmakers, well below the 120 required for a quorum, despite the Nigerian Constitution requiring a two-thirds majority in both chambers to support an emergency declaration.
With no quorum, the House could not proceed with a binding vote and only discussed motions and petitions. Reports suggest some lawmakers deliberately avoided the session to oppose what critics call an unconstitutional move.
Tinubu’s emergency proclamation, announced in a national broadcast, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state assembly for six months.
He appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as sole administrator. However, many argue the Constitution does not grant the president the power to remove an elected governor.
