The Nigerian National Assembly has approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State through a voice vote, bypassing the constitutional requirement for a two-thirds majority vote in each chamber.
Section 305 (6b) of the Nigerian Constitution mandates that such a declaration must be supported by at least 73 senators and 240 House of Representatives members. However, instead of conducting a formal roll-call vote, both chambers used a voice vote, where lawmakers shouted “aye” or “nay,” and the presiding officers subjectively determined the outcome.
In the Senate, lawmakers first held a closed-door session before the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read a prepared resolution and called for a voice vote, with no open debate or recorded opposition. The House of Representatives followed a similar process, also skipping an official vote count.
The move has sparked concerns among Nigerians who had expected transparency in the decision-making process, especially given the constitutional requirements for such an approval.
Source: Swifteradio.com
