…says it’s insufficient to decide two-thirds majority
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senator, Ireti Kingibe, has opposed the use of voice vote by the Senate in approving President Bola Tinubu’s state of emergency proclamation in Rivers State.
Her opposition came 24 hours after the Senate had approved the emergency rule proclamation earlier on Thursday.
“As the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) elected on the platform of the Labour Party, I, Ireti Kingibe, maintain a clear, firm, and unequivocal stance on the recent declaration of emergency rule and the associated voting procedures conducted in the National Assembly.
“I strongly oppose the use of voice voting for such critical, vital, and constitutional issues. The Nigerian Constitution explicitly mandates that a state of emergency proclaimed by the President must be ratified by a ‘two-thirds majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly,” she stated on Friday.
She further noted, “A two-thirds (2/3) majority is required for significant decisions like approving an emergency proclamation in the National Assembly, and this level of consensus cannot be accurately determined by a voice vote. According to Section 305(2) & (6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), an emergency proclamation must receive the approval of at least two-thirds of all members of each House—the Senate and the House of Representatives.
“A voice vote, where members express agreement by saying “Aye” or “Nay,” cannot precisely measure the required two-thirds majority.
“When a supermajority like two-thirds is needed, a recorded vote—whether through division voting, roll call, or electronic voting is necessary to ensure compliance with constitutional requirements. The Senate Standing Orders and House Rules generally mandate a roll call or electronic voting system to accurately determine numerical compliance for decisions of this magnitude.”
Kingibe went on, “A voice vote is insufficient for determining a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly for an emergency proclamation. A formal recorded vote is crucial to confirm the exact number of lawmakers in support.
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“As custodians of the Laws of the Land and specifically the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the National Assembly must jealously guard this role. They must ensure that the rule of law prevails and to remember their ‘raison d’être,’ which is to oversee/guide the President’s decisions by confirming or rejecting when his choices are not allowed by law.
“National Assembly members are the direct representatives of the people, the voice of the people. Without a roll call or electronic voting, the people haven’t spoken and therefore cannot, should not, and will not take responsibility for the President’s decision, as constitutionally required in matters of this magnitude.
“The people must hold their representatives accountable.”
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