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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY RUBBER-STAMPS TINUBU’S EMERGENCY RULE IN RIVERS AS AKPABIO, DICKSON ENGAGE IN HEATED DEBATE IN SENATE
The National Assembly has approved the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State.
Tinubu made the proclamation over the protracted crisis in the oil-rich state. He had suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers House of Assembly.
The development had triggered mixed reactions, with opposition leaders calling on the National Assembly to reject it.
At a press briefing in Abuja, on Thursday, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar who spoke on behalf of other opposition leaders, had said, “We call on patriotic Senators and Representatives to vote against this illegal action when it comes before them for approval. The National Assembly must stand on the right side of history and not allow itself to be used to legitimise an unconstitutional power grab.”
But after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s request at plenary on Thursday, the red chamber went into closed door session.
Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele had moved a motion for a closed session in pursuant to Order 135 of the senate rules.
The motion was seconded by Minority Leader Abba Moro.
After the closed door session, Akpabio put the issue to a voice vote and majority supported it.
The Senate President said the red chamber exercised its powers under section 305(2) of the constitution to approve the president’s proclamation.
Before the closed door meeting, Akpabio and Senator Seriake Dickson, had engaged themselves in heated argument over the provision of Senate Rules in the handling of debate on the State of emergency in Rivers State.
As Senate convenes for plenary, Senate Leader Michael Bamidele Opeyemi moved a motion for the Order Paper to be re-ordered to enable Senate handling the debate on the State of emergency before any other motion itemized for legislative action.
As Bamidele stood to point out relevant order, Seriake Dickson representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District and former governor of Bayelsa State raised a point of order which Akpabio was hesitant to oblige.
The angry Akpabio reminded Seriake Dickson in a witty manner, how he watched him on television that he would not go the way of the Senate on the state of emergency in Rivers, even as Dickson insisted on getting the Senate President attention through a point of order.
Akpabio said: “Senator Seriake Dickson, let’s not argue, if we argue it won’t be good for any of us.
“We are all distinguished people, you were a former governor, I was a former governor. Please turn off your mic and sit down. I watched you on television. You said, whatever the Senate does, the Senate will never go with you.
“I said you said whatever the Senate does, the Senate will never have your vote.
“I don’t know, but if you have already made up your mind to go on television when the Senate has not done anything or considered any issue.
“I am not arguing with you, but I say, please allow me to preside.
Replying to the Senate President, Seriake Dickson said: “Mr Senate President, you know we must have mutual respect for all our colleagues, and I do have regard for you particularly as our presiding officer and I think that should be reciprocal.”
Dickson said the point of order he raised was to draw attention of Senators to the provision of the need to first break into a closed door meeting.
The motion for close door was immediately raised by the Senate Leader and seconded by the minority leader, Senator Abba Moro and the Senate went into close door.
The House of Representatives had earlier approved the emergency rule.
