A heated confrontation erupted in the House of Representatives in Nigeria on Wednesday as lawmakers prepared to debate the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
The exchange occurred between two female legislators, Marie Ebikake (PDP, Bayelsa) and Blessing Amadi (PDP, Rivers), who engaged in a shouting match over the constitutionality of the president’s decision. The disagreement, which took place before the plenary session began, quickly escalated, requiring the intervention of other lawmakers to prevent further disruption.
The emergency rule, announced by President Tinubu on Tuesday, followed a prolonged political crisis in Rivers State. Along with the proclamation, the president suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly for six months. In their place, he appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, to administer the state.
Defending the decision, House of Representatives spokesperson Akin Rotimi stated that Tinubu had formally notified the National Assembly through a letter, seeking legislative approval in accordance with Section 305 of the Constitution. The letter was set to be read during Wednesday’s plenary session for further deliberation.
