On State of Emergency: Plenary proceedings, House of Reps for Thur, March 20th, 2025

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen presided.

By admin , in Inside stories , at March 20, 2025 Tags: #LightRayMedia, #NASS, Ejiro Umukoro Publisher and Editor in Chief, House of Representatives, Journalism, LightRay Media, Nigeria National Assembly, SoE, State of Emergency

After the recitation of the First stanza of the National Anthem, the National Pledge and opening prayer, the Speaker approved the votes and proceedings of Wednesday, March 19th, 2025.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Communication From the President:
I. Gazette of State of Emergency Proclamation, 2025, Rivers state. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wishes for the consideration and approval of the House of Representatives on the request according to the Constitution.

ORDER OF THE DAY
MOTION

A Motion to authorize the State of Emergency Declaration, 2025, Rivers state as requested by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Debate
Hon. Julius Ihonbvere moved the motion to authorize the State of Emergency Declaration, 2025, Rivers state as requested by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and it was seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda. Hon. Julius Ihonbvere in leading the debate stated that it is in the interest of Nigerians that the Legislature rises once more to apply its Legislative tools to ensure peace and good governance in Nigeria. He acknowledged that there must be divergent opinions on the matter, but any failure in governance that threatens the peace and good governance of Nigerians must be addressed head-on, and that is what the President, as a leader of the whole nation has done. He urged Honorable Members who are now standing on the precipice of history to make patriotic decisions only in the true interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Hon. Frederick Agbedi in his contribution quoted Order 4 of the Standing Rules of the House which states that the issue being debated, as a Constitutional issue, must only be debated when it is determined that the House has formed a quorum before they can decide on the issue.

Hon. Ahmed Idris in his contribution reminded Honorable Members how Plateau state also went through a State of Emergency and it had its merits and demerits on the citizenry. He urged Honorable Members to be mindful of the path to be taken for the good of those in Rivers state and Nigeria at large.

Hon. Philip Agbese stated that it has been established that indeed there is a problem in Rivers state. He stated that the need to provide solutions to the problems in Rivers state has brought the country to where it is at the moment. Hon. Agbese urged Honorable Members to work along with the Constitution in order to build a more stable Nigeria and not destroy it. He stated that the President announced the State of Emergency to bring peace to Rivers state, not because of hatred for any party. He proposed an amendment calling for the setting up of a National Peace Committee to mediate with all parties to ensure peace is achieved quickly so that the State of Emergency can be lifted, and so that the same issues do not spring up thereafter.

Hon. Benedict Etanabene in his contribution expressed agreement that whatever needs to be done legitimately for peace to reign in Rivers state, must be done. He however proposed an amendment that President Tinubu, having evoked Section 305 of the Constitution in declaring the State of Emergency, should also comply with Section 11(4), as Section 305 cannot be implemented in isolation without the application of Section 11(4) which stipulates that the National Assembly should take responsibilities of the dissolved State Assembly due to the proclamation of the State of Emergency.

Hon. Ali Isa also proposed an amendment to reduce the timeframe of the State of Emergency from 6 months to any given time the problem can be solved in the shortest possible time, where which the President can review the situation and subsequently lift the State of Emergency before the prescribed 6 months. The Motion was voted on and adopted as amended.

The Presiding Speaker announced that the plenary had 243 Honorable Members in attendance which forms a proper quorum.

Hon. Julius Inonbvere moved a motion for the House to suspend its relevant rules in order to allow it adopt the votes and proceedings of the day and it was seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda.

House Adjournment:
The House at 11:50 adjourned plenary to Tuesday, March 25th, 2025 by 11:00 A.M following a motion for adjournment moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Julius Ihonbvere and seconded by the Minority Whip, Hon. Ali Isa.