The National Assembly has approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State through a voice vote, sparking widespread criticism. The resolution, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and other elected officials for six months, also facilitated the appointment of a sole administrator. Violation of Constitutional Provisions? This decision appears to conflict with Section 305(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates a two-thirds majority vote in both legislative chambers before such a proclamation can be upheld. Critics argue that a voice vote lacks transparency and fails to meet the constitutional threshold. Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, condemned the approval, asserting that a two-thirds majority cannot be established through a voice vote. However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio countered this claim, stating that the decision was made unanimously without opposition. Senate’s Directives and Oversight Role As part of the emergency rule implementation, the National Assembly Joint Ad-hoc Committee will oversee all regulations in Rivers State. The Senate further called for the federal government to establish a reconciliation mechanism, including a Peace and Reconciliation Committee with key stakeholders, to restore stability in the state. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives modified Tinubu’s proclamation, mandating that the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, report directly to the National Assembly rather than the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Key Amendments by the House of Representatives: Divisions Among Senators During Closed-Door Session Despite the Senate’s approval, reports indicate internal disagreements. According to Vanguard, only 64 senators were recorded as present, sparking concerns that a proper quorum was not met. Some senators, including Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South), and Aminu Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South), walked out in protest. During deliberations, Senator Seriake Dickson raised a procedural concern, urging the Senate to adhere to Order 133 of its Standing Rules, which requires state-of-emergency discussions to be conducted in a closed-door session. Although initially resistant, Akpabio later acknowledged this requirement, leading to a closed-door meeting before the final decision was reached. Legal Experts and Opposition Leaders Challenge NASS Approval Legal experts have criticized the method used to approve the state of emergency. Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof. Sam Erugo, noted that Section 305(6) of the Constitution explicitly requires a two-thirds vote for such a decision, stating that a voice vote is legally insufficient. Peter Obi also denounced the process, arguing that using a voice vote for a decision of this magnitude undermines constitutional principles and democratic accountability. According to him, such decisions should be subjected to a recorded vote to ensure legitimacy. Implications for Rivers State and National Politics The emergency rule in Rivers State has significant political and governance implications. The involvement of the National Assembly in state governance raises concerns about federal overreach, while the removal of elected officials has sparked debates on democratic integrity. Observers are closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds, with expectations that legal and political challenges may arise in the coming weeks. For further insights on constitutional provisions and emergency rule governance, refer to this analysis by The Guardian. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
The Senate has officially approved President Bola Tinubu’s request for a $2.2 billion loan, aimed at addressing part of the ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year. This approval came after a report was presented by Aliyu Wamakko, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, during a plenary session. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, praised the committee for its swift and thorough examination of the loan proposal. In a letter read at both the Senate and House of Representatives plenaries earlier this week, President Tinubu outlined that the loan would be integral to his administration’s fiscal strategy for 2024. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, reading from the letter, confirmed that the $2.2 billion (approximately ₦1.77 trillion) is already included in Nigeria’s external borrowing plan for the upcoming fiscal year. Akpabio also directed the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts to expedite its review of the loan request and report its findings within 24 hours. Despite the deadline passing on Wednesday, the committee submitted its report on Thursday, leading to the loan’s approval. Wamakko’s report, titled Implementation of New External Borrowing of ₦1.77 Trillion ($2.2 Billion) in the 2024 Appropriation Act, explained that the loan is crucial for funding ongoing projects as outlined in the 2024 Appropriation Act, which are essential for Nigeria’s growth and development. According to Wamakko, the loan will also aid in the implementation of Nigeria’s Debt Management Strategy, which aims to reduce borrowing costs, extend debt maturity, create space for domestic market borrowers, and boost the nation’s external reserves. He further explained that Nigeria could raise the required funds through various means, including issuing Eurobonds in the International Capital Market (ICM). The committee recommended that the Senate approve the external borrowing of ₦1.77 trillion ($2.21 billion), which will be raised from one or more sources, such as the issuance of Eurobonds, sovereign Sukuk debt, or syndicated loans, depending on market conditions. Wamakko added that, given the increase in the official exchange rate from USD1.00/₦800 to approximately ₦1,640, the extra funds generated from this adjustment should be exclusively directed toward capital projects in 2024. This would ensure that additional funds are channeled into infrastructure and developmental projects, contributing to long-term growth and stability for the country. Following the presentation of the report, the Senate approved the loan without any objections, at the Committee of Supply. In conclusion, the Deputy Senate President commended the Senate committee for their thorough work, expressing gratitude for the timely handling of the matter. READ ALSO:
