The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to impose emergency rule in Rivers State.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the president’s letter during Thursday’s plenary before lawmakers moved into a closed-door session.

After the session, Akpabio put the request to a voice vote, and lawmakers overwhelmingly supported it.

Announcing the decision, Akpabio stated that the Senate had exercised its powers under Section 305(2) of the Constitution to approve the president’s proclamation.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that they hope President Tinubu’s declaration will bring peace and resolve the crisis in Rivers State.

Akpabio said, “We hope that this declaration by the president will bring peace and resolve all the impasse in Rivers State.”

The Senate also advised Tinubu to set up an ad hoc committee of “eminent” Nigerians to mediate between the rival factions fuelling the crisis in Rivers State.