Nigerian lawmakers used voice votes to approve President Bola Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers, contrary to the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority vote. Critics have expressed concerns regarding the lack of transparency in the voting procedure, advocating for recorded individual votes. The decision has sparked a broader discussion on legislative accountability in Nigeria.
The Nigerian National Assembly recently approved President Bola Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers using voice votes, circumventing the constitutional requirement for a two-thirds majority from each chamber. Section 305(6b) of the Nigerian Constitution stipulates that such proclamations must have explicit support from at least 73 senators and 240 representatives. Many Nigerians anticipated a proper debate and recorded voting to ensure transparency regarding the actual number of lawmakers backing the president’s declaration.
Instead of an official roll-call vote, where individual positions are documented, both the Senate and House of Representatives conducted voice votes, whereby lawmakers verbally express their approval or disapproval. This approach lacks transparency and objectivity, as the presiding officer decides the outcome based on his perception of the vocal majority.
In the Senate, a closed-door meeting preceded the voice vote, which lasted approximately one hour and twenty minutes, resulting in pre-agreed support for the proclamation. Upon returning to the plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio presented the resolution, and no senator was recorded opposing it during the voice vote.
Similarly, the House of Representatives also proceeded with a voice vote that garnered majority support without an official tally of individual votes. Critics, including banker Atedo Peterside and activist Dele Farotimi, voiced their concerns on social media, arguing that a voice vote cannot fulfill the constitutional mandate requiring a recorded two-thirds majority. They called for individual identification and voting for accountability.
The recent approval of President Bola Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers by the Nigerian National Assembly has raised significant constitutional concerns. By employing voice votes rather than the mandated two-thirds majority recorded votes, the Assembly has potentially undermined the transparency and integrity of the legislative process. Advocates for lawful procedures are urging a reevaluation of this method to maintain accountability in governance.
Original Source: www.premiumtimesng.com
