Reps to Tinubu: Ensure Rivers emergency rule is reviewed anytime

The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the request of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a state of emergency in Rivers State on condition that the emergency rule will be subjected to an immediate review anytime there is sign of peace.

This, the House said should be within the six months proclaimed by the President since the issues in dispute can be resolved at anytime.

Minority Whip of the House, Ali Isa JC had moved amendment to the request to say that when there are signs of resolution of the crisis, the president should review the emergency rule in thr state

On Wednesday, members came to the House plenary furious about the development, but the issue did not come up for debate since the letter from the President was not tabled before the House.

The President’s letter informing the House of the proclamation was read at plenary by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, but was not subjected to rigorous debate as expected hy Nigerians.

The letter reads: “In compliance with the provisions of Section 305 Sub Section 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, I hereby forward for consideration of the House of Representatives, copies of the Official Gazette of the State of Emergency Proclamation 2025.

“I reach to you of the grave and urgent situation that has necessitated its issuance to particularly commend this proclamation to the House of Representatives for consideration and approval in line with the Constitution.

“The main features of the proclamation are as follows: One, a declaration of state of emergency in one state of the Federation, namely Rivers State. Two, the suspension from office of the Governor, his deputy, and all members of the state’s House of Assembly. And three, appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok Ette-Ibas Rtd as retired, as Administrator to administer the state subject to any instruction or regulation as may from time to time be issued by me.

“While I look forward to the expeditious consideration of the House, please accept, Honorable Speaker, the assurances of our highest consideration”.

After a brief executive session,
Obinna Aguocha (LP, Abia)raised a point of order, asking the Speaker to ensure that the cobstitiobal provision of two third attendance was met before proceeding with the day’s business.

He said “Since the president’s letter concerns proclamation, the constitutional procedures must be followed as enshrined in 305 subsection 6B that says for us to consider this President’s request, this house must have two thirds of members present to have a quorum. This is a constitutional matter.”

Coming under the same order Fred Agbedi (PDP, Bayelsa) also asked the Speaker to announce the quorum to ensure that the cobstitutional provision was complied with by the House.

He said “Why I am coming again is simple. You are a man who has shown leadership to this House even in times that there were bills that were very challenging to be the nation. You have shown and your leadership has made Nigerians very confident in this house.

“The issue being debated for a second reading is a constitutional matter and the constitution has prescribed what and what to do. It is in the interest of this House for you to announce the quorum as we are seated so that Nigerians would know that we are not circumventing the constitution.

“So this is not about supporting or opposing what Mr President has said, but because of your impeccable leadership, Mr Speaker, I urge you that we comply strictly with the constitution by first transparently announcing the quorum as it is now for us to go into this debate”.

Responding, the Speaker noted point of order noted, adding that the attendance register would guide the House accordingly, saying “we would not do anything against the constitution”.

Leading the debate on why the House should approve the President’s request, House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo) said “this House has again been summoned to leave an indelible mark on the pages of Nigeria’s political history. And I believe that as we have always done, carrying the interests of our people and the nation at large.

“There’s no doubting the fact that we have our differing definitions of democracy and the constitution, state of emergency and so on within and outside the constitution. I think the request of the president is very clear.

But ultimately, we have a duty to move Nigeria forward. We want Rivers state to move forward. I worked there and taught there and produced students who have been former governors, current governors, ministers and so on. I am proud of them. it is a wonderful state. The flora and fauna, the culture, the people, the warmth, tolerant and inclusive. I believe the responsibility we have now is how do we create the platform for Rivers to move forward.

“I know we have our own biases, but on this issue let us work with the president and assist him towards ensuring sustainable, lasting and inclusive peace in Rivers State”.

In his contribution, Deputy Spokesman of the House, Philip Agbese (APC, Benue) said “It has been established by all Nigerians and the international community that indeed there is a problem in Rivers. It has also been established before this parliament through the letter you just read that a state of emergency has been declared in Rivers by Mr President and is already in force in the state.

“This parliament was christened the People’s House and one of our major achievement in this House has always been to provide solutions to problems as far as the country is concerned.

“We are all aware of the daunting challenges that face us today, the state our democracy, and we are here as a people, as representatives of Nigerians to offer solutions and ensure our democracy works for the good of our country. It is in that vein that I want to make a recommendation to what Mr President has sent to us.

“Because of our collective interest and the way we have buried our personal sentiments to work for Nigerians, we have said we would work in line with the provisions of the constitution and work towards a greater Nigeria.

“In that respect, my recommendation is that as we have seen in time past where this country has been on the precipice, where national committees were set up. We have also seen in time past, even when there was no constitutional provision, the doctrine of necessity was invoked to give life back to the country.

‘It is in that vein that this state of emergency has been declared in Rivers State, not because Mr President hates any of the groups involved, but because he wants something better for our country.

“So I recommend that a national committee be set up to comprise members of the executive, members of parliament and eminent Nigerians as we have seen in the past coming together to see that there is peace in the country.

“We make as part of the recommendations to support the letter by Mr President that a committee of eminent Nigerians be set up to mediate, to ensure that there is peace in Rivers State so that within the period of the emergency rule in Rivers State, the parliament working with the executives and other eminent Nigerians should ensure that we would all work together to make sure the things that led to emergency rule in Rivers does not resurface”.

Also, contributing, Benedict Etanabene (LP, Delta) wants the provision of section 11(2) of the Constitution included in the state of emergency, conferring the legislative powers of the Rivers State House of Assembly on the National Assembly while the emergency rule last.

He said “the topic before us is the proclamation of emergency government in Rivers. We listened to the letter of the president and we cannot but agree that the bottom line is for peace to come to Rivers State.

“This position has even been given credence to by the Rivers State governor when he said some time ago that there is no sacrifice that he cannot make for peace to come to Rivers State. We must embrace that idea of the governor and indeed as pushed by the President.

“Mr President has invoked section 305 of the constitution. I do not want to go into academic debates about what section 305 is all about. But it is a proclamation for emergency rule. Section 305 cannot be read in isolation of section 11 subsection 4 of the same constitution

The section states “that at any time, when the House of Assembly of a state is unable to perform its function by reason of the situation prevailing in that state, the National Assembly may make such laws for the peace, order and good government of that state with respect to matters on which the House of Assembly may make laws as they appear to the National Assembly”.

“I listened to Mr President’s proclamation, where he said that the sole administrator will be reporting to the Federal Executive Council. I disagree with that position and insist that the provision of section 11 sub 4 of the constitution should take precedence”.

Also contributing, Minority Whip of the House, Ali Isa JC (PDP, Gombe) said the House should approve the President’s request, but should include a proviso that the emergency rule can be reviewed anytime within the six months period.

He said “I believe with strong commitment that the matter in Rivers can be resolved within the shortest possible time. I believe that the matter can also be resolved maybe next week or even upper week and I believe that the president has shown commitment.

“The leadership has also shown commitment, so we do not need to wait for a longer period of time. Within the shortest period of time it can be resolved.

“The president should be given the opportunity to retain the positions of declaration, but with a review of the state of emergency at any given time. That the president can terminate or review the state of emergency at anytime within the period, but not later than six months.

“The president does not have to wait till the expiration of the six months before he can lift the suspension. If by tomorrow everything is resolved, the President has the right to say the state of emergency can be lifted”.

Tony Akowe