Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has stated that President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State requires the approval of the National Assembly, as mandated by the Constitution.
Speaking on Arise Television on Tuesday, March 18, the former Senate Minority Leader explained the legislative process following such a declaration. “Well, I think the Constitution says very clearly that the National Assembly will have to approve it,” he said.
He added that any necessary regulations or legal adjustments must also be addressed by the legislature. “And then, of course, if there’s any other regulation that needs to be made or anything else in line with the Constitution, that is what we will have to address in the National Assembly.”
On the next steps, Abaribe noted that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas would read the proclamation. “Well, the process will be that tomorrow, the Senate President and the Speaker will read the political commission and words,” he stated.
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When asked whether the approval would require a joint sitting of both chambers, he dismissed the idea. “I don’t think so. Joint sittings are usually held only when we have to receive the budget,” he explained.
He clarified that the Senate and House of Representatives would deliberate separately but must reach a common decision.
“So, I think the deliberations will take place separately, and we will see what happens. Eventually, we must reach a consensus. No one wants a situation where there is anarchy in the country. Nobody wants that.”
Abaribe admitted he did not expect the emergency declaration, believing there was still room for a political solution. “I didn’t see it [coming]. I thought there was still a window to fix things—a window for a political settlement. But well, it has happened. We have to deal with it.”