Emergency rule is not a replacement for democratic government in any political climate – Senate tells Rivers officials

Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has emphasised that the emergency rule imposed in Rivers State is not a substitute for democratic governance.

 Speaking in Abuja during the defense of Rivers’ N1.4 trillion 2025 budget, Bamidele, who also chairs the Senate ad hoc committee overseeing the emergency administration, described the measure as a constitutional tool aimed at restoring order during crisis.

“Emergency rule is not a replacement for democratic government in any political climate,” he said. “Rather, it is an extraordinary measure designed to restore order in times of disorder, peace in place of conflict, and stability instead of instability.”

Bamidele explained that the intervention follows Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and relevant legal frameworks governing executive and legislative actions. He said the committee’s mandate extends beyond budget review to ensuring that allocated funds are effectively used to benefit residents of Rivers State.

“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. The Senate plans continuous oversight to track project implementation and evaluate impacts on sectors including roads, education, health, and security. “Our objective is to ensure that approved funds translate into meaningful development,” Bamidele said. “When allocations on paper become tangible solutions on the ground, citizens’ trust in governance is restored.”

Ibok-Ete Ibas, sole administrator of Rivers State, informed the committee that some state officials withheld crucial financial records needed to account for first-quarter expenditures. He acknowledged that the 2025 budget proposal “may not be a perfect document” due to challenges faced during its preparation.

“Some state officials withheld critical information required to ensure a more complete capture of expenditures undertaken in the first quarter,” Ibas said. He noted that the budget aligns with the Rivers State development plan (2017–2027) and is designed to enhance infrastructure, drive economic growth, and improve human capital development.

“The budget is crafted as a people-centred fiscal blueprint, responsive to present challenges and future development imperatives,” Ibas stated.

President Bola Tinubu declared emergency rule in Rivers on March 18 following an extended political crisis. In response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio established an 18-member ad hoc committee to oversee the state’s administration. The panel, chaired by Bamidele, includes key senators such as Tahir Munguno, Peter Nwebonyi, Adamu Aliero, Sani Musa, and Adetokunbo Abiru.