KEY POINTS
- Emergency rule in Rivers will receive National Assembly backing to defend democracy.
- The legislative body underlines the vital importance of safeguarding people’s safety and protecting their possessions during emergency situations.
- The state of emergency order issued by Tinubu emerges due to massive lawlessness and destruction throughout Rivers.
Rep. Ademorin Kuye who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets explained NASS’s full support for President Bola Tinubu to implement a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The National Assembly endorses the government’s protective measures for citizens’ lives and property since it upholds democracy.
National Assembly’s commitment to defending democracy
Kuye stated that the National Assembly stands solidly behind defense of democracy with shared dedication to protect it passively from party affiliations.
He argued that the legislature would experience the first consequences if democratic values face threats thus lawmakers must continually put democratic values first.
Past events demonstrated his point when he discussed the intervention of the Ninth National Assembly to settle the Edo House of Assembly crisis that sought to defend democracy, therefore NASS to support Tinubu in his decision.
The breakdown of law and order in Rivers
According to Kuye any respectable government absolutely refuses to permit lawlessness in its domains. President Tinubu established a state of emergency to stop the ongoing government property destruction primarily targeting vital oil pipelines due to the protracted political conflict in Rivers.
The persistent crisis existed beyond previous Supreme Court decisions because it caused significant government damages that could not be ignored.
NASS to support Tinubu, President Tinubu announced a state of emergency in Rivers during his broadcast while simultaneously removing Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu and their complete House of Assembly membership for six months.
Security reports which concerned the president showed pipeline attacks increasing alongside militant threats while local leadership failed to respond effectively to the threats.
Tinubu selected retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the state administrator while directing security forces to defend both residents and vital public assets of Rivers State.
Court approvals from both Senate and House are necessary to implement the state of emergency but representatives have not presented a vote for it yet.
