…Its Economic Implications on Nigeria.
The national assembly used voice votes as against the 2/3 majority recommended by the constitution to seal the politically motivated state of emergency in Rivers State. In other words, the national assembly may have pecuniary reasons violated the constitution which they are suppose to uphold with honour and dignity. How did they count the votes.
The constitution is very clear about what is to be done to arrive at declaration of state of emergency, the conditions that should necessitate the declaration, first, do not exist at all, yet President Tinubu went ahead to declare state of emergency in Rivers State based on politically charged situation which he described as intolerable.
I don’t have problems with the President, because he could make mistakes as a result of being misled. These mistakes when made, it is expected that the national assembly that should step in and effect the necessary correction. Unfortunately, the National assembly members have become enablers of actions that are detrimental to our economic growth and development. This has therefore make Nigeria look a bunch of unserious people.
These are conditions that should warrant declaration of state of emergency in any part of Nigeria: (a) The federation is at war, (b) The federation is in imminent danger of invasion or involvement in a state of war, (c) There is actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the federation or any part thereof to such extent as to require extraordinary measures to restore peace and security. None of these existed in Rivers State.
For the national assembly to use voice votes to confirm an action as important as state of emergency, speaks volume about the characters we have chosen to represent us. This then means that the whole issue of political crisis in Rivers is being orchestrated by both the federal executive council and the National Assembly.
Would their action now solve the problem in Rivers State or aggravate it? Only time will tell.
However, one thing is sure, the national assembly’s action will have a far reaching and serious economic consequences which will affect the nation’s drive for foreign investments.
The National Assembly’s support for a state of emergency in Rivers State could have far-reaching economic implications, particularly for the oil and gas sector.
As regards investment and economic growth, a state of emergency may deter investors, both domestic and foreign, from investing in the oil and gas sector in Rivers State. This could lead to a decline in economic growth, as the state’s economy is heavily reliant on the oil and gas industry
Loss of Revenue
The state of emergency could also result in a loss of revenue for the state government, as oil and gas operations may be disrupted or halted. This could have a ripple effect on the state’s budget, as seen in the 2025 budget proposal, which allocates a significant amount to capital expenditure
Increased Cost of Doing Business:
The state of emergency may also increase the cost of doing business in Rivers State, as companies may need to incur additional costs for security and logistics. This could make the state less competitive compared to other oil-producing states.
*Impact on Local Communities:
The state of emergency could also have a negative impact on local communities, as oil and gas operations may be disrupted, leading to job losses and economic hardship.
Overall, the National Assembly’s support for a state of emergency in Rivers State could have significant economic implications for the state and Nigeria as a whole, particularly for the oil and gas sector
The former PDP National Chairman, Audu Ogbe, said for future occasions, federal lawmakers should explore technological tools and vote individually.
He faulted the voice vote that members of the National Assembly used to approve the emergency rule proclamation of President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State.
“Ayes and nays do not give us a clear picture of the position and the moral authority of individual senators or members of the House,” the 77-year-old said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme hours after the Senate and the House of Representatives threw their weights behind the presidential proclamation.
“Nobody should hide under a shadow – if you want a vote, say so; if you don’t want it, say so but this ayes and nays is a camouflage, it doesn’t work.”
Referencing his time as the deputy speaker of the House of Assembly in Benue State from 1979 to 1982, Ogbeh said individual voting was adopted for crucial bills and motions.
Ogbeh, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party between 2001 and 2005, said for future occasions, the lawmakers should explore technological tools and vote individually.
“When the matter came before the National Assembly for voting, I would like to suggest to the National Assembly to install a capacity in the future for individual voting which they can print out; not ayes and nays, because someday, 10 to 20 years from now, their children and grandchildren and researchers would like to find out how individuals voted on particular bills,” he said.
The Nigerian agriculture minister from November 2015 to May 2019 said rather than impose a state of emergency on the oil-rich state, the president should have called notable Nigerians to mediate in the matter and appeal to the warring parties to sheathe their swords.
He said, “Rivers State is bigger than any individual. We as a country and as countrymen are not interested in watching a situation where Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta will go up in flames.
“Nigeria has lived off the Niger Delta for 40 years. We appreciate what they have done for Nigeria because their oil has been fuelling our expenditure. Nobody wants a crisis in the Niger Delta.”
Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, imposed a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu; as well as the Rivers State House of Assembly members for six months in the first instance.
Tinubu hinged his decision on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, saying he can’t continue to watch the political situation in Rivers escalate without taking any action.
The president immediately appointed and sworn in a retired naval chief, Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd), as the sole administration for the oil-rich Niger Delta state.
