A mild drama broke out in the House of Representatives today Thursday, March 20.
The drama started after Hon. Obi Aguocha, representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency raised a point of order that the assembly had not ascertain if it attendance from a quorum before proceeding to discuss the request by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approval on the state of emergency declared in Rivers State.
Hon. Aguocha, a member of the Labour Party (LP) demanded that the lawmakers have a head count to determine the if they have formed a two-third quorum before they could consider voting for or against the declaration.
He noted that since the President’s letter concerns proclamation, the constitutional provisions must be followed as enshrined in the constitution.
Responding, the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, said the attendance register was enough to determine if the lawmakers were enough to form a quorum before the debate on the State of Emergency declaration.
However, an adamant Aguocha noted that the attendance list must be brought out first before any further business on the declaration.
It would be recalled that Tinubu had days back declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, stating that his actions was to protect democracy in the state.
Tinubu also nominated Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State.
The declaration came after over 14 months of prolonged crisis in the state that saw Governor Fubara demolishing the House of Assembly, which remains unbuilt till date.
In a nationwide emergency broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu expressed deep concern over the situation.
He said: “I feel greatly disturbed by the political crisis in Rivers. The state has been at a standstill, and the people have been deprived of good governance.
“Fourteen months after Governor Fubara demolished the House of Assembly, it remains unbuilt. Many Nigerians have intervened, just as I did. But their efforts have been to no avail.
“No responsible President will stand by without taking action. To restore good governance and peace in this circumstance, it has become imperative to declare a state of emergency.”
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