Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi in the 2023 general elections has criticised the National Assembly for approving the State of Emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a voice vote.
Recall that both the Senate and the House of Representatives endorsed the emergency rule in Rivers State and the six months suspension slammed on Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Reacting, Obi in a statement on Thursday afternoon accused lawmakers of adding ‘salt to injury’ by using a voice vote to pass the illegality.
According to the former Anambra governor, the Constitution is clear that this cannot be done through a voice vote but by calling individuals to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no.’
He said: “While still agonizing over the ongoing deterioration of democracy in our nation, especially with the situation in Rivers State, and trying to reach out to our National Assembly members not to support and sustain the unconstitutionality and arbitrariness, I just heard that they have added salt to injury by using a voice vote to pass the illegality .
“The Constitution is clear that this cannot be done through a voice vote but by calling individuals to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no.’
“While a two-thirds majority is crucial, it does not justify bypassing proper procedures and undermining the principles of transparency and accountability.
“The use of a voice vote in such a significant decision not only disregards constitutional requirements but also erodes public trust in the democratic process as well as the transparency and integrity of the National Assembly .
“Decisions of such magnitude must be made with integrity, following the letter and spirit of the law.
“It is disheartening that a decision as crucial as approving an emergency proclamation — one that could alter the course of the nation — has been handled with such casual disregard for constitutional standards.
“The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) clearly requires that such a proclamation must be approved by at least two-thirds of all members of each House — the Senate and the House of Representatives.
