Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has criticized the National Assembly for endorsing President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. On Thursday, the National Assembly approved the president’s decision through a voice vote, a move that has sparked widespread controversy and condemnation from various quarters.
In a statement on Friday, Obi described the approval as a reflection of Nigeria’s fragile democracy, which he labeled as "transactional" and "devoid of genuine opposition." He argued that the absence of a functional opposition undermines democratic principles, stating, "What we are left with is not a genuine democratic system, but one that is transactional, compromised, and, in many respects, resembles organized criminality."
Obi contrasted Nigeria’s political system with those of South Africa and Indonesia, where proportional representation ensures fair seat allocation and prevents elected officials from switching parties without consequences. He proposed that Nigeria adopt similar mechanisms, suggesting that the Senate’s 109 seats should be redistributed to reflect a more balanced representation: 44 for the All Progressives Congress (APC), 33 for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and 27 for the LP. He also recommended a similar redistribution in the House of Representatives.
Senators Speak Out Against Voice Vote and Lack of Open Debate
The approval of the emergency rule has also drawn criticism from within the National Assembly itself. Seriake Dickson of the PDP, representing Bayelsa West, revealed that senators who opposed the declaration were prevented from openly debating the issue during plenary. Dickson, who walked out of the session before the vote, accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of silencing dissenting voices. He described the process as lacking transparency and called for a more robust debate on such critical constitutional matters.
Similarly, Ireti Kingibe of the Labour Party, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), condemned the use of a voice vote to approve the emergency rule. She argued that the Nigerian Constitution requires a two-thirds majority for such decisions, which cannot be accurately determined through a voice vote. Kingibe emphasized the need for a roll call or electronic voting system to ensure transparency and accountability.
Northern Elders Forum Calls for Reversal of Emergency Rule
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has also weighed in on the controversy, urging President Tinubu to reverse the state of emergency in Rivers State. In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Abubakar Jika Jiddere, the NEF argued that the situation in Rivers does not warrant such a drastic measure. The forum accused the president of acting on personal vendettas rather than public interest, warning that the abuse of political power poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
The NEF called on the federal government to find a peaceful and permanent solution to the political crisis in Rivers State, emphasizing the importance of negotiation, mediation, and adherence to the rule of law. They also criticized the suspension of elected officials, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and urged the government to restore democratic processes in the state.
A Call for Judicial Intervention and Democratic Accountability
As the controversy continues to unfold, many critics, including Dickson, have pointed to the judiciary as a potential avenue for intervention. Dickson expressed hope that the courts could address the constitutional issues raised by the emergency declaration. Meanwhile, Obi and other opposition figures have called for systemic reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, including laws to prevent party defections and ensure fair representation.
The approval of the emergency rule in Rivers State has exposed deep divisions within Nigeria’s political landscape, with many questioning the integrity of the National Assembly and the broader democratic process. As the debate rages on, the focus remains on holding elected officials accountable and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in the face of political crises.
