The Nigerian Senate has reiterated that the imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State should not be mistaken for a replacement of democratic governance, stressing that the intervention is a constitutional response to restore order amidst political turmoil.
Senate Majority Leader and Chair of the ad hoc committee overseeing the state’s emergency administration, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, made the clarification on Thursday during the defense of Rivers State’s proposed ₦1.4 trillion 2025 budget in Abuja.
“Emergency rule is not a replacement for democratic government in any political climate,” Bamidele stated.
“Rather, it is an extraordinary measure designed to restore order in times of disorder, peace in place of conflict, and stability instead of instability.”
He explained that the emergency administration was activated in line with Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), to provide legal backing for federal intervention during periods of instability.
The ad hoc committee, Bamidele noted, has a dual responsibility — to review the state’s fiscal plans and ensure accountability in the implementation of projects.
“As representatives of the people, we are not only tasked with evaluating figures but also with ensuring the faithful execution of the budget,” he added.
“Our objective is to ensure that approved funds translate into meaningful development across critical sectors like infrastructure, education, health, and security.”
The Senate, he assured, would conduct sustained oversight to assess the real-time impact of government expenditure and rebuild citizens’ trust in governance.
Briefing the Senate panel, Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), admitted there were gaps in the budget’s formulation due to limited access to key financial data.
“Some state officials withheld critical information required to ensure a more complete capture of expenditures undertaken in the first quarter,” Ibas disclosed.
He, however, described the budget as a “people-centred fiscal blueprint” that aligns with the state’s long-term development plan (2017–2027), targeting infrastructure growth, economic revitalisation, and human capital development.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared emergency rule in Rivers on March 18, 2025, following a prolonged political standoff that threatened the stability of the state.
In response, the Senate established an 18-member ad hoc committee, headed by Bamidele, to provide oversight and ensure transparent governance under the temporary arrangement.
