SENATE, HOUSE OF REPS SHUN PUBLIC APPEALS, APPROVE EMERGENCY RULE IN RIVERS STATE IN VOICE VOTES

The Senate and the House of Representatives have approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers State.

Lawmakers in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly approved the measure in a closed-door session, after the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, presented President Tinubu’s letter to his colleagues.

Rising from the closed-door session, the Senator Akpabio put the motion to a voice vote, with lawmakers screaming Ayes in support.

The Senate also resolved to call on President Tinubu to set up an ad hoc committee of “eminent” Nigerians to mediate between the rival factions of the crisis in Rivers State.

In his remarks, Senator Akpabio said it was the hope of the Senate that the emergency declaration by the President would bring peace and resolve all the impasse in Rivers State.

In the House of Representatives, the laamakers ignored appeals by Nigerians and voted in favour of the state of emergency declared in Rivers State.

The 1999 Constitution provides for such motion to be passed by two-thirds majority vote of members, but the Speaker ignored a Point-of-Order for a headcount.

The Point-of-Order was raised by Hon Obi Aguocha (Abia LP), who represents Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency.

Instead, Speaker Abbas, after reading President Tinubu’s request in a letter, called for a voice vote, saying that the House formed a quorum with 240 lawmakers present.