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Constitutional red flags raised over state of emergency in Rivers State

By Abbanobi -Eku Onyekachi, Abuja

Prince Orji Nwafor-Orizu, the National President, Society for Advancement of Democracy in Nigeria (SADN) has sounded the alarm over the National Assembly’s approval of the state of emergency in Rivers State, citing disregard for the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Prince Orji Nwafor-Orizu noted that the National Assembly’s voice vote on the matter had no! voices, meaning that all of them voted for the state of emergency.

The National President, pointed to Section 305 of the constitution, which requires a 2/3 majority vote from both chambers for a state of emergency to be approved. He questioned the legitimacy of the approval process, suggesting that the National Assembly may be withholding information from the public.

He warned that granting the president unchecked power to remove elected officials is a dangerous precedent, potentially paving the way for the removal of senators. While acknowledging that insecurity may justify the removal of the governor and other elected officials in Rivers State, he emphasized the need for constitutional adherence.

Key concerns raised by the SADN National President were that: The National Assembly’s approval of the state of emergency in Rivers State may have violated Section 305 of the constitution; The voice vote on the matter had no meaning that they all voted for it and; Granting the President unchecked power to remove elected officials could have far-reaching implications for the country’s democratic institutions.

As the situation in Rivers State continues to unfold, Prince Orji Nwafor-Orizu’s concerns highlight the need for careful consideration and adherence to constitutional principles.

Nwafor – Orizu