*Akpabio, Dickson In Heated Argument Over Procedure
BOTH chambers of the National Assembly- Senate and House of Representatives- on Thursday, March 20, approved the declaration of a state of emergency for six months by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State, despite opposition from several quarters.
The Senate gave its nod declaration, which suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly, through voice votes.
The constitution stipulates that a state of emergency in any part of the country proclaimed by the President must be supported by a “two-thirds majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly.”
The two chambers, in this instance, used voice votes to okay the President’s emergency in Rivers State, despite a constitutional provision that mandates two-thirds majority votes by each chamber for such approval, as stipulated in Section 305 (6b) of the 1999 Constitution(as amended), thereby shielding the lawmakers form public scutiny.
With 109 senators and 360 representatives, a “two-thirds majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly” means that at least 73 senators and 240 representatives must vote in favour of the emergency rule for it to be approved.
But rather than conducting an official roll-call vote to take and record each lawmaker’s stance, both chambers adopted a voice vote, whereby lawmakers simply shout “aye” or “nay,” and the presiding officer determines which side has the majority.
Earlier, there was a heated argument between the President of the Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio, and Senator Seriake Dickson over provision of Senate Rules in the handling debate on the State of Emergency in Rivers State.
Just as it convened for plenary, Senate Leader, Bamidele Opeyemi, moved a motion for the Order Paper to be re-ordered to enable the Red Chamber to handle the debate on the state of emergency before any other motion on the Order Paper.
As he stood to point out the relevant Order, Dickson, representing Bayelsa Central, raised a point of order, to which Akpabio hesitantly obliged, saying he had watched him on television saying he would not go the way of the senate on the emergency rule issue.
Dickson insisted on getting Akpabio’s attention through a Point of Order, with the senate president saying: “Senator Seriake Dickson, let’s not argue, if we argue it won’t be good for any of us.
“We are all distinguished people, you were a former governor, I was a former governor. Please turn off your mic and sit down. I watched you on television. You said whatever the senate does, the senate will never go with you.
“I said you said whatever the senate does, the Senate will never have your vote. I don’t know, but if you have already made up your mind to go on television when the senate has not done anything or considered any issue, I am not arguing with you, but I say, please allow me to preside.”
To this, Dickson replied: “Mr. Senate President, you know we must have mutual respect for all our colleagues, and I do have regard for you, particularly, as our presiding officer, and I think that should be reciprocal.”
Dickson restated that the Point of Order he raised was to draw the attention of senators to the provision on the need to first break into a closed-door meeting.
Sebsequently, the motion to close the door was immediately raised by Bamidele and seconded by the Minority Leader, Abba Moro, and the senate went into a closed-door session.
Akpabio did not call on members to make their contribution after the two hours closed-door session.
While approving the emergency rule, the senate, however, said the National Assembly should oversight the activities of the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Obot-Ette Ibas, a former naval chief.
The chamber also recommended the setting up of a committee eminent Nigerians, to meet with the warring parties.
On its part, the House of Representatives, had at an earlier plenary, approved emergency rule in Rivers State, also through a voice vote after it failed to form a quorum the previous day, preventing any debate on the declaration.
Meanwhile, Tinubu has commended both chambers for what they termed their decisive and patriotic ratification of the state of emergency proclamation in Rivers State, saying it was a critical step to restoring stability after a protracted political crisis that paralysed governance in the state and endangered national economic security for over 15 months.
The President specifically commended the National Assembly leadership for prioritising the security and welfare of Rivers State people above partisan interests and other considerations, acknowledging their diligent review of classified security briefings, underscoring the urgent need for intervention to prevent further escalation.
According to him: “The crisis in Rivers State was at a perilous tipping point, threatening the security of vital oil and gas installations and undermining the national economy and the significant progress we have made in the reforms initiated since our administration commenced in May 2023.
“As I detailed in my address to the nation on 18 March, the near-total collapse of governance, threats to federal economic assets, and the risk of widespread violence left no room for hesitation. This emergency measure is a lifeline to safeguard livelihoods, secure critical infrastructure, and restore democratic accountability.”
Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said the six-month emergency would empower the Sole Administrator to stabilise the state, address systemic breakdowns and facilitate dialogue among contending parties.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the National Assembly to advance peace, economic resilience and equitable development across Nigeria.
