State of Emergency in Rivers: Lawmakers Must Be Accountable – Audu Ogbeh Warns NASs
Former Agriculture Minister and seasoned politician, Audu Ogbeh, has strongly criticized the manner in which the National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. He warned lawmakers that history will not forget their actions, stating that in the future, their children and grandchildren will question how such a significant decision was handled.
President Tinubu’s declaration, announced on Tuesday, resulted in the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all elected officials in the state for a period of six months. Despite opposition from certain quarters, both chambers of the National Assembly swiftly approved the emergency proclamation on Thursday.
Ogbeh Condemns Voice Vote Approval
Ogbeh, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), criticized the use of a voice vote in such a crucial decision, arguing that it lacks transparency and accountability. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, he emphasized that lawmakers should adopt a more accountable voting system.
“Ayes and nays do not give us a clear picture of the moral position of individual senators or members of the House. Nobody should hide under a shadow—if you support the motion, your vote should be recorded; if you oppose it, the same should apply. This current method is nothing but a camouflage,” Ogbeh stated.
Drawing from his experience as a former deputy speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly (1979-1982), Ogbeh suggested that the National Assembly should implement digital voting mechanisms that would allow for printed records of each legislator’s stance on critical national matters.
“Ten to twenty years from now, their children, grandchildren, and researchers will want to know how individual lawmakers voted on key bills. This is a matter of national accountability,” he added.
Ogbeh Faults Tinubu’s Approach
Beyond criticizing the National Assembly’s approval process, Ogbeh also questioned President Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State. He argued that rather than suspending the elected government, the President should have sought diplomatic interventions through respected national figures.
“Rivers State is bigger than any individual. As a nation, we should not allow a situation where Rivers State—and the entire Niger Delta—erupts into chaos. This matter required mediation, not extreme measures,” Ogbeh warned.
The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has sparked intense political debate, with concerns over its implications for democracy and governance. While some argue it was necessary to restore stability, others see it as a dangerous precedent that undermines elected leadership.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on Rivers State, where the impact of this emergency rule will be felt in the coming months. Meanwhile, the call for greater transparency in legislative decisions continues to grow, with Ogbeh’s remarks echoing the broader demand for accountability in Nigeria’s democratic processes.
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State of Emergency in Rivers: Lawmakers Must Be Accountable – Audu Ogbeh Warns NASs