ABUJA — The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has announced that the National Assembly will soon form a special committee to help restore peace and democracy in Rivers State.
Speaking on Tuesday during a session to welcome lawmakers back from their break, Abbas said the House will work with the Senate to set up a “high-level” committee made up of respected national leaders. The goal, he said, is to help bring peace, start important conversations, and return normal democratic government to Rivers and other places facing similar problems.
“In the coming weeks, we shall work with the Senate to constitute a high-level committee on reconciliation… to support the restoration of democratic order in Rivers State and other conflict-affected regions,” Abbas said.
What Is Happening in Rivers State?
The trouble in Rivers State began on March 18 when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state. This was because of a long political crisis that made it hard for the state to run normally.
After declaring the emergency, the president suspended the governor, Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
President Tinubu then appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval officer, to take over as the sole administrator of the state. Ibas later removed all political officers who were appointed by the suspended governor.
This decision led to protests from many people in Rivers State, who demanded that Governor Fubara be allowed to return to office. Groups like the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) also spoke against how Ibas was handling the situation.
What Has the National Assembly Done So Far?
On April 15, Speaker Abbas created a 21-member committee to help make sure the law is followed and that the government runs fairly in Rivers State.
The next day, the lawmakers invited Mr. Ibas to speak with them on April 17 about what was happening in the state. However, Ibas did not attend. He asked for more time, and the meeting was moved to April 24, but again, he didn’t show up.
He finally appeared before the committee on April 25 but said he needed even more time to prepare, explaining that the situation in Rivers is “complex.”
Other Important Plans by the House of Representatives
Speaker Abbas also talked about other plans to help Nigeria. He said the House will work quickly to pass important laws that can improve people’s lives. These include:
- New election laws to help Nigeria have better and fairer elections
- Laws to reduce unemployment and poverty
- Reforms in education, healthcare, and security
- Better use of security intelligence and technology to fight insecurity across the country
The Speaker promised that lawmakers will do their best to make sure Nigeria is peaceful, safe, and better for all citizens.
