Lagos, Nigeria – March 20, 2025 –
Peter Obi, former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has fiercely criticized the Nigerian National Assembly’s use of a voice vote to approve President Bola Tinubu’s emergency proclamation in Rivers State, labelling it a “betrayal of the democratic process” and a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s governance.
In a detailed statement posted on X on March 20, 2025, Obi expressed deep concern over the Senate’s decision, arguing that it violates the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which requires a two-thirds majority of all members of each House—via a recorded vote, such as a roll call or electronic means—to approve such a critical proclamation. “The use of a voice vote in such a significant decision not only disregards constitutional requirements but also erodes public trust in the democratic process as well as the transparency and integrity of the National Assembly,” Obi wrote.
He described the National Assembly’s action as “disheartening,”, particularly given the gravity of the emergency declaration, which suspends Rivers State’s governor, deputy governor, and all lawmakers due to “disturbing incidents of pipeline vandalism by militants” in the oil-rich Niger Delta state. Obi warned that bypassing proper procedures for approving the proclamation—announced by President Tinubu on March 18, 2025—sets a perilous 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,” he cautioned.
Obi’s statement highlighted the constitutional requirement under Section 305(6) of the Nigerian Constitution, which stipulates that an emergency proclamation lapses after two days unless approved by at least two-thirds of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. He emphasized that a voice vote, where members simply call out “Aye” or “Nay,” cannot accurately measure this crucial threshold, undermining accountability and transparency. “Ignoring these procedures is not just an oversight; it is a warning signal,” he added, urging Nigerians to safeguard the “soul of our democracy.”
The former governor’s remarks come amid heightened political tension in Rivers State, where factional disputes within the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and threats of impeachment against the state governor have fueled instability. Obi’s criticism aligns with reports from other political voices, such as Michael Oyewole, who noted the return of figures like Ojukaye Flag Amachree—a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) politician and former Rivers State APC chairman—to the state’s political scene, suggesting the emergency declaration benefits allies of President Tinubu and Nyesom Wike, the former Rivers State governor now serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
According to web reports, the Senate and House of Representatives approved the proclamation with “unanimity” via voice votes, with the House amending the proclamation to require Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, to report to the National Assembly rather than the Federal Executive Council. However, Obi and other critics argue that the lack of a recorded vote obscures transparency and accountability, eroding public trust in Nigeria’s legislative processes.
Legal experts and civil society groups have echoed Obi’s concerns, with some preparing to challenge the decision in court. “We cannot afford to keep gambling with the soul of our democracy,” Obi concluded, calling on Nigerians to mobilize against what he described as an unconstitutional and arbitrary move by the National Assembly.
The presidency and National Assembly leadership have yet to respond to the mounting criticism, but Obi’s statement has reignited broader debates about the state of democracy, transparency, and the rule of law in Nigeria’s federal system. As political tensions in Rivers State escalate, Obi’s voice continues to resonate as a call to action for safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
