The National Assembly has approved President Tinubu's declaration of State of emergency in Rivers State.
The National Assembly has granted the request made by the President to declare state of emergency in Rivers State, however, some key amendment were carried out.
This follows after the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, 18th of March publicised the suspension of the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu and appointed retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), as the sole administrator of the state.
President Tinubu submitted a request to the National Assembly seeking for approval of the declaration, which on Thursday, during a one hour session, the House of Representatives modified before approved.
The lawmakers also agreed with the President that Rivers State needs intervention and even some people who raised constitutional processing as the time of the declaration, later backed, amended and approved the declaration of the President.
The session started with Abbas Tajudeen, the speaker reading the President's letter which after that, moved to 10 minutes closed - doors session before returning to plenary for further debating.
Obi Agwuncha, a lawmaker representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency in Abia State objected the declaration and asked for a headcount of lawmakers present before proceeding, however request was winked at.
Deputy House Spokesman, Philip Agbese during the debate proposed the motion of establishing a national peace committee to mediate the political conflict in Rivers State.
“A National Peace Committee should be in place to ensure that the problems are resolved within six months,” Agbese suggested. The House agreed to this amendment.
Etanabene Benedict, the Labour Party lawmaker from Delta State raised concern about the legality of the emergency rule. He also re-emphasized that the Section 305 of the Constitution, which allows for a state of emergency cannot work without the application of Section 11(4).
“However, Mr. Speaker, I have a few amendments. Section 305 can’t be read in isolation without Section 11, which states that the National Assembly shall make laws on behalf of the states in case of a state of emergency where the State House of Assembly is also suspended,” Benedict argued.
He also criticised Tinubu's approach which seemed like the Federal Executive Council overseas the state's law during emergency and he insisted that the Legislative and not the Executive should assume power in Rivers State during this critical period.
With regards to his argument, the House amended the motion to ensure that the National Assembly still retains the legislative power and not the Federal Executive Council.
Ali Isah, a minority Whip also argued that the six months duration as announced by the president is too much, stating that the case could be resolved much earlier.
“I believe the matter can be resolved in the shortest period of time. Maybe next week. The President has shown commitment, so the President should be given the opportunity to retain the position of declaration for emergency with review at any given time. They should allow the President to terminate or review the state of emergency. The President doesn’t need to wait until six months,” Isah said.
The House while allowing for periodic review of the emergency rule instead of a rigid six-month timeline amended the case.
After the amendment a voice vote was taken which "Aye" means that one is in favour of the approval.
After the vote, Speaker Abbas announced that 243 lawmakers were present to approve the president's request.
