Legislative Turmoil In Rivers: Lawmakers Fail To Form Quorum After Fubara’s Suspension

The declaration, made by the president on Tuesday, has sparked intense debate and raised questions about its constitutional validity. In his national address, Tinubu justified the emergency measure by citing a prolonged political crisis in Rivers State as the primary reason behind the decision.

As part of the state of emergency, Tinubu controversially suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months. Additionally, he appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, as the state’s administrator during the emergency period.

However, Tinubu’s efforts to get the National Assembly’s approval for the emergency rule are being hampered by significant challenges. Sources within the National Assembly revealed to TheCable that both the Senate and the House of Representatives are struggling to form a quorum due to the absence of many lawmakers, who are currently in Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj and Ramadan fasting.

To form a quorum, the Senate requires at least 37 members, while the House of Representatives needs 120 members. “Even if we manage to form a quorum, the constitution mandates that the vote involve all members — meaning 109 in the Senate and 360 in the House,” a member of the House of Representatives told TheCable.

Reports indicate that on Wednesday night, National Assembly leaders were collecting signatures from absent members to allow them to vote remotely, but some lawmakers have raised concerns that such a move would violate the constitution.

Under Section 305(2) of the 1999 Constitution, the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives are tasked with convening a meeting to consider the state of emergency and decide on whether to pass a resolution approving the declaration. The Constitution does not provide for absentee or remote voting, such as voting via WhatsApp. A senator emphasized, “There is no provision for absentee or WhatsApp voting. Every member must physically stand and declare whether they support or oppose the declaration of the state of emergency.”