Mercy Gadia Adi
The House of Representatives has given its approval for the imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers State, as declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
However, the House, presided over by Speaker Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, amended the declaration to remind the President that only the National Assembly has the constitutional power to legislate for the state under the current circumstances.
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President Tinubu had announced in a national broadcast that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) would take decisions for the state, but the House has made it clear that this is not constitutionally valid. The Speaker announced that 240 members were in attendance, forming a quorum, but some lawmakers raised points of order on constitutional grounds.
Former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idri Wase, urged his colleagues to allow the motion, which was eventually approved. The House also resolved that a committee of prominent Nigerians be convened to intervene in the matter while the emergency rules subsist. Furthermore, the House stated that the emergency rule must not run for the initial six-month period pronounced by the President, but can be lifted as soon as the issues at stake are resolved.
The approval of the state of emergency in Rivers State comes amid heightened political tensions and security concerns in the oil-rich state. President Tinubu had cited prolonged political instability and governance paralysis in Rivers State as justification for his emergency declaration. He emphasized that the crisis had stalled governance and deprived citizens of essential leadership.
The House’s decision has sparked mixed reactions, with some lawmakers expressing concerns about the constitutional implications of the emergency declaration. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also condemned the declaration as unconstitutional, arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent.
In addition to approving the state of emergency, the House also made some key recommendations. These include the inauguration of a National Peace and Reconciliatory Committee to mediate among the parties involved in the political crisis in Rivers State. The House also approved the takeover of legislative activities of the Rivers State House of Assembly in line with Section 11, Subsection 4 of the Constitution.
In conclusion, the House of Representatives’ approval of the state of emergency in Rivers State comes with significant conditions. The House has made it clear that it will not allow the Federal Executive Council to take over the legislative functions of the state, and has instead called for a committee of prominent Nigerians to intervene in the matter.