State of Emergency: Reps Amend Prayers, Back President Tinubu On Rivers
…Why We Approved Tinubu’s Decision On Rivers – Doguwa
By Juliet Vincent
The House of Representatives has approved the declaration of state of emergency on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
They gave their approval after amendment to some of the prayers contained in the President’s letter read by the Speaker, Abbas Tajuddeen at the Plenary on Thursday.
After the adoption of the amendments, the Speaker put a voice vote which was overwhelmingly in support of the presidents decision and passed.
Speaking after the session, the House leader, Professor Julius Ihonvre stated that, the decision taken by the President was to save the situation in Rivers which has degenerated and putting the state and the country at a greater risk.
He added that, the House had used its Constitutional discretion to amend the prayers sent by the President in order to give room for a more subtle, matured handling of the situation and to push for peace.
Similarly, a member from Rivers State, Hon. Fred Agbedi who earlier raised an issue during the Plenary told journalists that, the House had handled the issue the way it should be addressed called for more dialogue and actions within the law to resolve the situation.
On her part, Hon. Miriam Onuoha who seconded the motion to review the period put forward by Hon. Ali Isah JC, said she was happy that, the House had allowed members to express their opinions and later take a decision based on popular opinion.
She prayed that, the decision taken by the House be a step towards ensuring the prevalence of.law and order in Rivers State.
In a statement, the Chairman and leader of the Northern Caucus of the House of Representatives, Rep. Alhassan Ado Doguwa stated that, the state of emergency declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was the best and in the interest of peace and security in Rivers State and the national as a whole.
He said, “In view of the ongoing discourse on the State of emergency in Rivers state, We are compelled to state clearly that the steps taken by Mr. President and C in C of the federal republic of Nigeria are apt, timely and constitutionally appropriate.
“We as a legislative institution will not allow Mr. Presidents constitutional declaration of emergency to fail. The opposition are simply trying to be political about this matter. While are not insensitive to the constitutional imperatives and implications involved,
“We will not however ignore or take for granted the derailment of law and order in Rivers state. We can not also as a legislative house or as a government sit down and allow miscreants, hoodlums,and politically motivated thugs continue to destroy critical national assets at the expense of our national economy.
“What is happening today by way destructions of critical infrastructure in the oil and gas sector is allegedly with the conspiracy of the Suspended Governor of the state and some politically motivated players outside Rivers state.
“In the circumstances therefore, I would like to on behalf of the northern regional Caucus of the 10th House of Representatives, state that we are in total support of of the state of emergency declared by Mr. President in the discharge of his constitutional powers as clearly stated in section 305 of the Constitution of the FRN,” he said.
Honourable Doguwa called on the coalition of opposition party leaders must live above partisan lines and be wary of the fact that the laws of the land are unambiguously sacrosanct and can not be contemplated by anyone.
The lawmaker added, “The legislative institution of our country to we are collectively members, are in this case guided by our moral conscience, commitments to protecting democratic ideals, respect for our supreme legal document and ofcourse by historical precedence. Nigeria is indeed greater than any selfish coalition and its conspiracies. The constitutional proclamation of emergency in rivers state Must stand”.
