Onwusibe Queries Rationale for Declaring Emergency Rule in Rivers State, Says Criteria not Met

The member representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives has queried the rationale behind the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

Onwusibe who spoke to newsmen at Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South LGA after a private visit to Governor Alex Otti, pointed out that such ingredients as loss of life and property and violence were lacking to warrant the action of the President.

He said: “We are running a democracy in Nigeria and yes the constitution provides for declaration of state of emergency but there are ingredients that must lead to that. We didn’t see those ingredients in Rivers State.”

Onwusibe also faulted the use of voice vote by the National Assembly in approving the president’s request. He likened approval of emergency rule to alterations in the constitution where two-third majority of members present and sitting was required.

“The constitution of Nigeria is clear here. The National Assembly needs to approve, in fact the approval is two-third of 360 members for House of Representatives, two-third of 109 Senators. It is just like when you want to alter the constitution of the country, you don’t do that by voice votes.

“The members present and sitting will be allowed to vote Yes or No. But the leadership of the National Assembly decided to use a voice vote but before they did that, Mr president had gone ahead to swear in the sole administrator some of those things are affront to the legislative branch of government.”

“All the branches are supposed to be independent. The constitution is very clear on their functions yes there should be checks and balances, one should not Lord itself over the other.

On the solution to oil rich State, the Abia lawmaker called on President Bola Tinubu to apply a political solution to the problem by genuinely reconciling all parties involved in the crisis.

“Having declared the State of Emergency, I think Mr president should now apply a political solution to this problem. Let him as the father of the State and the country bring both parties to a round table and make peace.”

Onwusibe who said he is an advocate of balance, insisted, “I don’t support anybody biting the finger that fed him, and I also don’t support that if you are feeding somebody that you should use spoon to injure that person. There should be a balance.

“Rivers State is very important to Nigeria considering the economic potentials it has so for me Mr president should play the fatherly role now and see if he can resolve this problem even before the six months so that peace and normalcy can return to Rivers State,” he said.