In a report by The Sun, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has raised concerns over the Senate’s approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. According to Tambuwal, the decision did not meet the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority vote.
The Senate had gone into a closed session last Thursday to discuss the president’s proclamation before proceeding with a voice vote in plenary. However, Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and now representing Sokoto South in the 10th Senate, argued that the approval process was unconstitutional.
Speaking in Abuja, he cited Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates that two-thirds of all Senate members—equivalent to 73 out of 109 senators—must support such a resolution. According to him, this requirement was not fulfilled during the voting process.
Tambuwal emphasized that the Constitution is clear on the procedures for declaring a state of emergency and the role of both legislative chambers in approving such a decision. He further noted that past administrations, including those of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, had strictly adhered to this requirement when declaring emergency rule in various states.
Expressing disappointment, he questioned why the current National Assembly failed to follow its own historical precedents and legal guidelines. He argued that legislative decisions should be based on constitutional provisions and established parliamentary practices.
The senator’s remarks have sparked debates about the validity of the Senate’s decision and whether due process was followed in approving the emergency rule in Rivers State.