Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has criticized the House of Representatives for approving President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State through a voice vote.
The New Daily Prime earlier reported that Tinubu suspended Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the State Assembly for six months.
The House of Representatives endorsed the president’s proclamation via a voice vote during Thursday’s plenary session.
Reacting in a statement on his X page, Obi argued that the Constitution mandates an individual roll-call vote, requiring lawmakers to verbally express their stance by answering “yes” or “no.”
The former Anambra State governor condemned the use of a voice vote, stating that it violates constitutional provisions and undermines public trust in the democratic process, as well as the transparency and integrity of the National Assembly.
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“While still agonizing over the ongoing deterioration of democracy in our nation, especially with the situation in Rivers State, and trying to reach out to our National Assembly members not to support and sustain the unconstitutionality and arbitrariness, I just heard that they have added salt to injury by using a voice vote to pass the illegality.
“You cannot determine a two-thirds majority by a voice vote. While a two-thirds majority is crucial, it does not justify bypassing proper procedures and undermining the principles of transparency and accountability. Decisions of such magnitude must be made with integrity, following the letter and spirit of the law”, he said.
Obi described the development as deeply disheartening, emphasising that a decision as critical as approving an emergency proclamation—one with the potential to reshape the nation’s trajectory—was handled with blatant disregard for constitutional procedures.
He reiterated that the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) mandates such a proclamation to be approved by at least two-thirds of all members in both chambers—the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Obi further stressed that a mere voice vote of “Aye” or “Nay” is insufficient to determine this crucial threshold, arguing that when a supermajority is required, it necessitates a recorded vote—whether by division, roll call, or electronic means.
“This isn’t just a technicality; it’s a matter of law and legitimacy. The Senate Standing Orders and House Rules were established to ensure that decisions of this magnitude are made transparently, with accountability. Ignoring these procedures is not just an oversight; it is a betrayal of the democratic process.
“A voice vote for such a critical matter is not just insufficient; it’s a dangerous precedent. If we can bend the rules so easily, what stops us from undermining other pillars of democracy? Today, it’s a voice vote on a state of emergency — tomorrow, it could be a voice vote on citizens’ fundamental rights.
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“It is painful to think that members of the National Assembly, who swore to uphold the Constitution, could participate in a process that sidesteps the very essence of due process. We must ask ourselves: If the law no longer anchors our decisions, then what does? This is not just a flawed procedure; it is a warning signal. We cannot afford to keep gambling with the soul of our democracy.”
