The Senate has postponed its decision on approving President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State until Thursday.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele proposed the delay, with Minority Leader Abba Moro seconding the motion. When Senate President Godswill Akpabio put it to a voice vote, the majority of lawmakers supported the postponement.

The motion, listed as the first agenda item, was suspended before any debate could take place. According to the order paper, the Senate acknowledged that the crisis in Rivers had paralyzed governance, preventing residents from benefiting from democratic governance.

“The Senate also notes that the state has been at a standstill since the crises started, with the good people of Rivers State not being able to enjoy the dividend of democracy,” the motion read.

It further stated that the crisis had overwhelmed the state government, with conflicting parties failing to reach a resolution, prompting federal intervention.