Nigerian lawmakers approved a State of Emergency in Rivers State using voice votes, bypassing the required two-thirds majority vote, which has raised concerns among citizens regarding transparency and constitutional adherence. Activists have criticized this decision, advocating for clear and individual voting. President Bola Tinubu declared the state of emergency following political tensions in Rivers, which have escalated governance issues.
Nigerian lawmakers in both chambers recently utilized voice votes to approve President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State. This decision contravenes a constitutional requirement that necessitates a two-thirds majority vote from each parliamentary chamber. According to Section 305 (6b) of the Nigerian Constitution, any state of emergency declared by the president must receive a two-thirds majority support from all members of both legislative houses.
Many citizens expressed concerns that the Senate and the House of Representatives would handle the voting process appropriately. This would allow for transparency regarding how many lawmakers endorsed the president’s emergency declaration and whether the constitutional stipulations were fulfilled. Atedo Peterside, a banker, articulated on X that “a two-thirds majority cannot be achieved via a voice vote,” emphasizing the importance of individual votes for transparency.
This sentiment was echoed by activist Dele Farotimi, who remarked, “the vote must be clearly counted, and the numbers clearly determined. A voice vote will not suffice.” Nevertheless, the National Assembly, predominantly composed of members from the ruling party, the APC, disregarded public appeals for a more transparent voting process. On Thursday, the presiding officers declared the majority based on the voice votes and proceeded to approve the president’s request without a formal discussion.
The Senate convened for a closed-door session lasting approximately 80 minutes before announcing the result of the voice vote publicly. Observations indicated that none of the senators voiced opposition to the motion during the vote, further raising doubts about the validity of the process.
Following a political fallout in Rivers State involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike, President Tinubu declared the state of emergency. The president indicated that the situation had escalated dangerously, impacting governance. Concurrently, he suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and members of the state legislature for an initial six-month period during the emergency rule.
In summary, Nigerian lawmakers approved a State of Emergency in Rivers State without adhering to the constitutional mandate for a two-thirds majority vote, using voice voting instead. Public outcry for a transparent voting process, led by significant figures in the community, was overlooked as the National Assembly pushed through the approval. This development raises serious questions regarding the legitimacy of the emergency measures and the adherence to democratic processes in Nigeria.
Original Source: www.premiumtimesng.com
