Lawmaker Dawodu Defends Voice Vote on Rivers Emergency Rule
Lawmaker Dawodu Bashiru has defended the House of Representatives use of a voice vote to approve President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Despite the controversy surrounding Tinubu’s decision, the House of Representatives passed the president’s action through a voice vote, adding further debate to the ongoing crisis in the oil-rich state.
Dawodu, who represents Oshodi/Isolo in Lagos State and is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), dismissed criticisms regarding the voice vote, emphasizing that the House has the constitutional authority to decide on the voting method.
“The House is constitutionally empowered to determine how it operates daily,” Dawodu stated during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics. “That is the law.”
‘The Rules Are Different’
Dawodu explained that while electronic voting is used for certain matters, the House is not obligated to use it in all instances. He cited the difference between voting processes during the election of previous speakers, noting that “rules are different” depending on the situation.
“We use voice voting in our daily practices, and I don’t think this particular situation is any different,” he added.
Opposition to State of Emergency
President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, including the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and State House of Assembly members, has sparked widespread opposition across the country.
Tinubu cited pipeline explosions and the need for peace as the justification for his actions. However, Afam Osigwe, president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has strongly condemned the move.
“That is our belief, and we expect the president to restore Fubara to his position after his unconstitutional removal,” Osigwe stated when asked if the president should recall the suspended governor.
He also expressed his objection to the appointment of a sole administrator, stating, “We do not recognize a sole administrator as the rightful person to occupy the Government House in Rivers State, as their appointment was unconstitutional. Even when I saw him take the oath of office, I wondered which oath he was taking because it is not recognized by the constitution.”
