The Nigerian National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers through voice votes, ignoring the constitutional requirement for a two-thirds majority from both chambers. Critics emphasize the need for recorded votes to ensure transparency and adherence to the law, highlighting concerns about the informal voting method employed. Premium Times advocates for credible journalism and invites public support to continue providing accessible news.
The Nigerian National Assembly recently employed voice votes to endorse President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State, disregarding the constitutional requirement for a two-thirds majority from each chamber. According to Section 305 (6b) of the Nigerian constitution, such a declaration necessitates a two-thirds vote from the members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives to be deemed legitimate.
Despite a collective hope among Nigerians for a formal debate and individual voting to ensure transparency regarding lawmakers’ support for the President’s action, the National Assembly opted for a less formal voice vote. Given that the Senate comprises 109 senators and the House has 360 representatives, this vote should have ideally reflected the support of at least 73 senators and 240 representatives.
In the Senate, a closed-door meeting preceded the voice vote, during which the lawmakers reached a consensus to support the proclamation. Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently presented a resolution, but no opposition was noted during the voice vote. The procedure mirrored that in the House of Representatives, where lawmakers similarly supported the proclamation without a definitive count of individual votes.
Critics, including banker Atedo Peterside, expressed their concerns on social media, emphasizing that a two-thirds majority cannot be established through a voice vote. Peterside noted that lawmakers should physically identify themselves in the voting process. Activist Dele Farotimi echoed this sentiment, arguing that a clear, recorded count of votes was essential to meet constitutional requirements.
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In summary, the Nigerian National Assembly’s use of voice votes to approve a State of Emergency in Rivers State raises critical questions about adherence to constitutional voting standards. The absence of a formal roll-call vote undermines transparency and accountability, prompting concerns among citizens and commentators alike. The importance of recorded votes to ensure that the constitutional requirements are upheld cannot be overstated. Support for credible journalism is vital for maintaining an informed public, hence the call for contributions to sustain accessible news outlets like Premium Times.
Original Source: www.premiumtimesng.com
