The Nigerian parliament approved President Bola Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers using voice votes, despite a constitutional requirement for a two-thirds majority. Calls for a transparent voting process were largely ignored by lawmakers, raising concerns about adherence to legal protocols amid a political crisis in the state.
The recent actions of the Nigerian parliament concerning President Bola Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers have raised significant constitutional concerns. Both chambers utilized voice votes to approve the emergency declaration, despite the constitutional requirement for a two-thirds majority approval in each house as stipulated by Section 305 (6b) of the Nigerian Constitution. This has sparked frustrations among citizens who anticipated a more transparent voting process to ascertain the specific support among lawmakers for this declaration.
Prominent voices, including banker Atedo Peterside and activist Dele Farotimi, highlighted the inadequacy of voice votes for such critical matters. Mr. Peterside emphasized the necessity of individual ballots for the proper establishment of a two-thirds majority, while Mr. Farotimi concurred, urging the Senate’s leadership to pursue a more accountable voting method. Despite these objections, the National Assembly, largely dominated by members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), proceeded with voice votes, asserting that they had achieved the required majority without public debate on the issue.
The situation in Rivers prompted President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency amid escalating political tensions between the incumbent governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. To further address this crisis, the president also ordered the suspension of Mr. Fubara, his deputy, and state legislature members for a duration of six months as part of the emergency measures. The emergency rule, justified by Tinubu as necessary for restoring governance, has raised numerous constitutional questions that remain to be addressed.
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The recent approval of President Bola Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers by the Nigerian parliament using voice votes raises serious questions about the adherence to constitutional protocols. The calls from various stakeholders for a more transparent voting mechanism underscore the importance of accountability in legislative processes. The ongoing political crisis in Rivers highlights the pressing need for governance structures that are both robust and legally compliant, furthering the discourse on Nigeria’s democratic integrity.
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