The House of Representatives has given a green light to President Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers after adding few amendments
The House of Representatives has adopted President BolaTinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers state with additional amendments.
The seal of approval for the president’s proclamation came via voice vote during plenary on Thursday which the speaker announced was attended by 243 members according to the the day’s register.
The House resolved that while the emergency persists, it could be reviewed at any time without necessarily waiting for the six months prescribed in the proclamation.
It adopted that session 11(4) of the constitution be upheld to allow the National Assembly to make laws for the Rivers State as against the president position on the sole administrator reporting to the Federal Executive Council FEC).
The House also approved that a national mediation committee be set up comprising the members of the executive, members of parliament and eminent Nigerians to broker peace between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary, called on members to make their contribution during the consideration of the general principles of the President’s report.
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In his contribution, Benue lawmaker and deputy spokesman of the House, Rep. Philip Agbese (APC Benue), recommended the setting up of a national mediation committee to broker peace between the governor and the State assembly,which the House approved.
Rep. Etanabene Benedict (LP Delta), while agreeing to President Tinubu’s position to secure peace in Rivers state said “ This position was even given credence by the Governor of Rivers state Fubara Similanayi, that no sacrifice is too big for peace to reign in Rivers State”
However he disagreed with president Tinubu’s position that the sole administrator should report to the FEC.
“The president has invoked session 305 of the 1999 constitution to establish emergency rule. However, session 305 cannot be read in isolation of session 11(4) which states that at any time when any House of Assembly of a State is unable to perform its functions by the reason of the situation prevailing in that state, then the National Assembly makes laws for the peace and good governance of that state,” he said.
Adding to the contribution, the Minority Whip of the House, Rep. Ali ISA JC. (PDP Gombe), supported the president declaration however, he said the suspension should not be cast on stone.
“The president can end the emergency rule at any given time not later than six months. If peace is reached between the two parties, the emergency rule should be lifted before six months,” he said, a prayer the House also adopted.
Earlier, the speaker read a letter from the President notifying the House of the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
The letter reads “In compliance with the provisions of Section 305 of Section 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, I hereby forward the consideration of the House of Representatives copies of the Official Gazette of the State of Emergency Proclamation 2025.
“I wish in view of the grave and modern situation that has necessitated its issuance to particularly commend this proclamation to the House of Representatives for consideration and approval in light of the Constitution.
“The main features of the proclamation are as follows. 1. A declaration of state of emergency in one state of aggression, namely Riga State. 2. The suspension from office of the government, its deputy, and all members of the state’s House of Assembly. 3. Appointment of Vice-Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to administer the states, subject to any instruction or regulation as may from time to time be issued by me.
“While I look forward to the expeditious consecration of the House, please accept, Honorable Speaker, the assurances of my highest consideration.” the President stated
Before the letter was read, the House dissolved into an executive session which lasted for about 10 minutes.
However up resumption from the executive session, Rep. Obinna Aguocha attempted to stop the debate on the general principles of the letter citing Section 305 (6b) of the Constitution, which requires that the House must have two-thirds of its members in plenary, however he was overruled by the Speaker who said the requirements will be achieved using the register of the day.
One comment
Aladeokomo Babatunde Sunday
March 21, 2025 at 5:59 am
This is actually nothing but charade, a show of shame, deliberate subversion of the constitution of our Republic for a self will.
I know that there are Lawyers among these Lawmakers. It is good if they claim not to remember the Laws they help made for the nation but it is sad to know that there is a limit somewhere but collectively choose not to touch such areas at a crucial moment like this.
If The President has acted as if I didn’t have a copy of the constitution he sworn to defend the Lawmakers shouldn’t follow suit in one swoop.
There is no section or any part of our constitution that empowered the President to suspend an elected Assembly or an elected state Governor. The powers of suspension is only applicable in an appointment not in the case of election where the occupier of a seat through that means enjoys the legitimate mandate of the people who elected him or them as the case may be.
That there were precedent to this in the past doesn’t mean the precedent and the actions now now is right. If President Obasanjo did same by suspending erstwhile Ekiti state and Plateau state Governors in the wake of the fourth Republic and it passed but in a turn of event which led to court interpretations as to what extent a President can go in case of the proclamation of a state of emergency in any part of the federation, President Jonathan was stopped from suspending the three Governors of the North Eastern states Yobe, Borno and Adamawa when he declared a state of emergency over their states in May 2013.
I think the President could have made a better choice if he was kin on following precedence. He would have been advised to follow the legal and constitutional precedence that doesn’t empower him to suspend persons elected by the majority to serve their interest in this situation.
I see a coup here, the national Assembly has actually ganged up with the president to go against the oath of his office by suspending Rivers Assembly, The Governor and his deputy. Both the Senate, the house of Representatives and The President has gone against their oath to defend and uphold our constitution.
Let me say for the purpose of development, peace and progress that the cohabitation between Executive and the National Assembly is a very dangerous one. Although some may call it harmonious relationship but I see it as Annexation of the legislature by the executive. This is a sad relationship that will allow anything to pass without proper scrutiny and proper oversight on behalf of the Nigeria people.
The height of it was this approval granted the president to arrogate powers of the Rivers Assembly to The Federal Executive Council and himself instead of the national Assembly. Second is the empowering himself against the constitution to suspend elected Governor, deputy governor and the state Assembly. Third is the unconstitutional appointment of a sole Administrator over a state that has an elected Governor.
For our national Assembly to have overlooked these crucial issues then it means we are now at the mercy of God. I hope and pray that those who have already approached the court on this matter get justice.