The National Assembly of Nigeria has approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and other elected officials for six months. The decision, made through a voice vote, has sparked significant controversy, with critics questioning the legality and transparency of the process. The move has also led to the appointment of a sole administrator to oversee the state during the emergency period.

Senate’s Approval and Legislative Backing

The Senate approved the state of emergency after a closed-door session lasting about one and a half hours. Senate President Godswill Akpabio invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) to justify the decision. He emphasized that the approval was unanimous, with no dissenting voices.

The Senate further resolved to invoke Section 11, Subsection 4, granting the National Assembly the authority to establish a joint ad-hoc committee to oversee the administration of Rivers State during the emergency period. Additionally, a committee of eminent Nigerians will be set up to reconcile the warring factions in the state.

Akpabio stated that the state of emergency could be reviewed or terminated by the President at any time, but not later than six months. The Senate adjourned briefly to pass the votes and proceedings of the session, providing the necessary legislative backing for the emergency rule.

House of Representatives’ Amendments

The House of Representatives also approved the state of emergency but made three key amendments:

1. The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, must report to the National Assembly instead of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
2. A national committee, composed of members from the Presidency, National Assembly, and other eminent Nigerians, will be established to restore peace in Rivers State.
3. The President has the authority to review and potentially shorten the six-month emergency period.

These amendments were passed through a voice vote, with 243 members in attendance. Despite some legislators expressing concerns over the various constitutional provisions, the amendments were ultimately approved.

Criticism and Concerns

The approval of the state of emergency has not been without criticism. The Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi criticized the National Assembly for the voice vote, arguing that a two-thirds majority could not be determined through such a less transparent method. It has also drawn criticism from critics who have raised concerns on the overreach of the federal power and implications such may have for democratic governance in Rivers State.

Reconciliation Efforts

Both chambers of the National Assembly emphasized the need for reconciliation in Rivers State. The Senate and House of Representatives called for the establishment of peace and reconciliation committees to mediate between the warring factions in the state. These committees will include representatives from the National Assembly, the executive branch, and other stakeholders.

Global South Forum Perspective

The Rivers State crisis indicates the dilemma of federalism and governance in Nigeria, one of the key players in the Global South. The situation illustrates the delicate balance between federal authority, and state autonomy, as well as the importance of transparent and inclusive decision-making processes in resolving political conflicts. As Nigeria navigates this crisis, The international community especially Global South nations will closely observe how Nigeria confronts these governance challenges during its current crisis.

Conclusion

The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State marks a very significant moment in Nigeria’s political landscape. While the National Assembly has provided legislative backing for the move, the decision has sparked  a lot of debates over its legality, and also its potential impact on democratic governance. As the federal government moves to restore peace, and stability in Rivers State, the role of reconciliation committees, and the oversight of the National Assembly will be all the more crucial in ensuring a lasting resolution to the crisis and a pointer to democratic governance in Africa’s largest democracy.