By Henry Umoru & Gift ChapiOdekina
CONTRARY to expectation, the two chambers of the National Assembly – Senate and House of Representatives could not debate and approve President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State, suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials; and appointment of an Administrator.
Vanguard gathered that the reasons for stepping down discussions on the issue include lack of quorum, and communication of gazetted proclamation to lawmakers.
Vanguard gathered that at the hallowed Chamber prior to the commencement of plenary session, Senators were sharply divided following the non-adherence to Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution as amended as Senators who were against the state of emergency were more than those for.
Sources told Vanguard that tempers rose in the Chamber when it was realised that there was no Gazetted Proclamation, a document that must chronicle all the offences of the Rivers State Governor and why the state emergency must be put in place. Some also claimed that the President did not observe provisions of Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Only 61 senators attended, 71 needed
Vanguard gathered yesterday that if the matter was discussed, a two- third Quorum would not have been formed as those against it were more in number, just as it was gathered that 73 sitting Senators were needed to vote for the emergency and 61 Senators were said to be available as of that time.
It was gathered that it became imperative to put the discussion on hold because there was the need to read the proclamation from the President, but that was not available.
The source said that the leadership of the Senate had to make a u-turn in order to use yesterday and today to “reach out and sell the project.”
Another source also said that it may be impossible to get the required number as most of the Senators are expected to travel outside the country for Umrah.
Following the tense atmosphere, the session could not continue even when the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio was already inside and called for prayer.
The prayer session took place at 12.41 after Senate President Akpabio came in. There was a standstill as the session after prayer did not continue until he commenced with approval of votes and proceedings at 1.05pm.
Though the motion: Proclamation of State of Emergency in Rivers State by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central was slated as the first matter to be discussed in yesterday’s Order paper, it was not debated.
Thereafter, the second item in the Order Paper was taken.
It was the Confirmation of the Nominations of Appointment as Members of the Police Service Commission (PSC) by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abdulhamid, Mallam-Madori, APC, Jigatwa East.
The session ended as plenary was adjourned to the next legislative day at 2.45 as there was no mention of Proclamation issued.
Speaking with Journalists yesterday after the end of plenary, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, APC, Ondo South, said that 3pm was not feasible yesterday as people are fasting, and then there were not many people on the floor, assuring that first thing today, information will go to other members.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim said: “The Senate is a democratic institution, and the Senate has given room for more members who are not aware of this yesterday, but got to know about it today to be able to come tomorrow and air their views.
“Democracy is about numbers, it’s about participation. So what we are saying is that we can adjourn it tomorrow in order to give room for more people to come. We formed a quorum today, 68 people signed the register.
“Even though there are 10 leaders of the Senate to reach, we are more than a quorum. We could as well go on, but we don’t want people to say, oh, it was 3 o’clock. They brought it when members are already praying, they are fasting, and then there are not many people on the floor.”
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