Nigerian National Assembly approved a State of Emergency in Rivers using voice votes, contravening the constitutional requirement for a two-thirds majority. This method lacked transparency and raised concerns about the legitimacy of the vote, as both chambers did not conduct a recorded count regarding the individual lawmakers’ support.
Recently, the Nigerian National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers through voice votes, which raises concerns regarding adherence to constitutional requirements. The Nigerian Constitution, under Section 305 (6b), specifies that a State of Emergency must be supported by a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This translates to at least 73 senators and 240 representatives for the motion to pass legally.
Despite this requirement, both chambers opted for a voice vote, where lawmakers verbally express their support or opposition, rather than an official roll-call vote that would document each member’s decision. Initially, the Senate convened a closed-door meeting for over an hour before returning to the plenary, where Senate President Godswill Akpabio facilitated a voice vote without any recorded opposition.
Similarly, the House of Representatives conducted the vote through the voice method as well, resulting in a majority support but lacking an individual count of votes. Numerous Nigerian citizens expressed their dissatisfaction with this process, calling for transparency and accountability. Banker Atedo Peterside emphasized that a two-thirds majority could not be validated through a voice vote, a sentiment echoed by activist Dele Farotimi, who insisted that each lawmaker should identify themselves when casting their vote to maintain constitutional integrity.
The approval of the State of Emergency under such circumstances has drawn significant criticism, highlighting concerns over democratic processes within the Nigerian National Assembly. Citizens are advocating for clearer voting methods in crucial matters to ensure that representatives’ adherence to constitutional mandates is upheld.
In summation, the approval of President Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers through a voice vote raises significant constitutional concerns. The requirement for a two-thirds majority as stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution was not observed, undermining the legitimacy of the proceedings. The call for transparency and formal voting processes reflects a broader expectation for accountability within the National Assembly and the need for adherence to constitutional protocols.
Original Source: www.premiumtimesng.com
