The National Assembly (NASS) has come under heavy criticism following its approval of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Nigerians across different sectors have expressed outrage over what they describe as a hasty and undemocratic endorsement of the president’s decision, which includes appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as the state’s sole administrator.
Despite calls from opposition leaders and concerned citizens urging lawmakers to reject the emergency declaration, members of both chambers unanimously approved it through a voice vote.
The Senate, in addition, invoked Section 11(4) of the Constitution, giving itself the authority to oversee the administration of Rivers State.
In the House of Representatives, an attempt by Obi Agwuncha to call for a headcount of lawmakers present was ignored, while the motion was amended to transfer legislative authority over Rivers State from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to the National Assembly.
Prior to the deliberation, prominent figures, including Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka, had spoken against the state of emergency.
Obi had urged Labour Party lawmakers to oppose the decision, while Chidoka argued that security agencies should be strengthened to maintain peace rather than resorting to emergency rule.
He also suggested that the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) should play a more active role in resolving the crisis.
However, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, stood firm on their decision.
After a closed-door session lasting over an hour, the Senate approved the emergency declaration and set up a joint ad hoc committee to oversee the state’s administration.
The House of Representatives followed suit in a swift one-hour session, where initial opposition to the decision was quickly overruled.
President Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast, had earlier suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
Lawmakers in the House debated modifications to the emergency rule, with Minority Whip Ali Isah suggesting that the emergency should be reviewed periodically instead of lasting a fixed six months. His recommendation was adopted.
In response to accusations that he failed to address security concerns in the state, Governor Fubara, through his Chief Press Secretary Nelson Chukwudi, denied any role in the recent threats by militants and dismissed claims that he neglected rebuilding the demolished House of Assembly complex.
He blamed ongoing tensions on comments made by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, stating that Wike’s refusal to apologize for remarks against the Ijaw people fueled unrest in the state.
Criticism of the National Assembly’s handling of the situation has continued to mount.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, warned that the approval could set a dangerous precedent, allowing President Tinubu to impose emergency rule in other opposition-led states.
He also condemned the use of a voice vote, arguing that Nigerians deserved to know where each lawmaker stood on the issue.
Peter Obi also criticized the voice vote on his X handle, stating: “You cannot determine a two-thirds majority by a voice vote. Decisions of such magnitude must be made with integrity, following the letter and spirit of the law.”
Former Ogun Central Senator Femi Okurounmu also questioned the decision, arguing that the voice vote undermined representative democracy.
He said, “While I do not have evidence to back the insinuation that the lawmakers were either induced or coerced to use voice votes, it is not impossible, because voice votes have also been adopted to determine important matters like this in the past. But that doesn’t make it right.”
