Nigerian National Assembly Approves State of Emergency Amid Controversy

The Nigerian National Assembly approved President Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers via voice votes, contrary to the constitutional requirement for a two-thirds majority. Both chambers bypassed recorded votes, leading to public outcry for accountability and proper voting procedures. Critics argue that the voice votes do not meet constitutional mandates.

The Nigerian National Assembly has approved President Bola Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers through voice votes, raising legal concerns regarding the constitutional requirement for a two-thirds majority. According to Section 305 (6b) of the Nigerian constitution, state emergency proclamations must receive the support of two-thirds of both chambers.

Citizens had anticipated a more transparent process, including official debates and recorded votes to verify support for the emergency declaration. In practice, this requires at least 73 senators and 240 representatives to back the motion, yet the National Assembly opted for voice votes instead of an accurate roll-call vote.

During a one-hour and twenty-minute closed-door Senate meeting, lawmakers agreed to support the proclamation before proceeding to a voice vote without public debate. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, indicated a unanimous consensus as no dissent was noted. A similar procedure unfolded in the House of Representatives, where the majority endorsed the emergency without an individual vote count.

Public reactions have highlighted concerns about the validity of the voice votes. Banker Atedo Peterside emphasized the necessity for individual identification in voting to meet constitutional standards for a two-thirds majority. Dele Farotimi, an activist, echoed this sentiment, insisting that a voice vote is inadequate for determining the constitutionally required numbers. This scrutiny reflects broader calls from the public for accountability in the legislative process.

The approval of the State of Emergency in Rivers by the Nigerian National Assembly through voice votes raises significant constitutional concerns. The bypassing of a formal voting procedure undermines transparency and accountability. Stakeholders emphasize the need for individual votes to confirm constitutional compliance, reflecting a widespread desire for a more trustworthy legislative process.

Original Source: www.premiumtimesng.com