Rivers State Crisis: Why The National Assembly's Actions Have Left Many Disappointed

Chidoka Speaks Out: The Problem with Voice Votes in Nigerian Politics

Let me break this down for you. Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has come out swinging against the method used by the National Assembly to ratify President Bola Tinubu's declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. Chidoka is not holding back, and he's got some serious points to make. The decision to use voice votes instead of individual votes has sparked a lot of debate and raised eyebrows across the country.

How the National Assembly Voted

Now, here’s what happened: The House of Representatives and the Senate both used voice votes to approve President Tinubu's move. This means that lawmakers didn’t cast individual votes but rather shouted "aye" or "nay" in unison. The result? A collective decision with no accountability for individual lawmakers. The same method was used to uphold the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Chidoka didn’t mince words when he spoke to Arise News on Wednesday. He said that the Senate and the House of Representatives failed to uphold the principles of democracy. He argued that the National Assembly essentially devalued itself by using this method, which he believes undermines the very essence of representative democracy.

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Chidoka's Take: A Lack of Respect for the Rules

Chidoka made it clear that he’s deeply disappointed with the National Assembly. Here’s what he had to say: "I am totally disappointed with the National Assembly. I’m disappointed because the President of the Senate is a former governor, just like the President of Nigeria. He’s been a minister, a Senate minority leader, and yet, they decided to stick to voice votes. The Speaker of the House of Representatives even suggested using the Register of Attendance, but that’s not how it works in a proper democracy."

He emphasized that democracy is about accountability and transparency. In his words: "If I’m Osita Chidoka from Idemili North and South, I want to know how my representative in the House of Representatives voted on critical national issues. I want to know how my senator from Anambra Central voted. When you ask a group of people to shout 'yes' or 'no,' you’re robbing me of meaningful representation. That’s what devalues the National Assembly."

Why Voice Votes Are a Problem

Chidoka went further, pointing out that if any institution has let itself down in this democracy, it’s the National Assembly. He referenced Senator Ken Nnamani, who once said that debates on important issues, like a third term, should happen on national television. Every senator should rise and speak, making their position clear. Chidoka believes that if the Senate had insisted on individual voting, it would have been a mark of self-respect and dignity.

He added: "If the President needs to spend a million dollars to sway each senator, let him do it. If he needs to promise projects for their communities, let him do that too. But let’s count the votes one by one. That’s the rule. It’s about respecting the rules and showing dignity. When I see senators behaving like schoolboys shouting 'yes' or 'no' on such a critical issue, it’s clear that the National Assembly has devalued itself. This isn’t about the Nigerian people who already have little trust in them. It’s about the Assembly showing respect for its own rules."

The Impact on Democracy and Public Trust

Chidoka argued that if the National Assembly had voted individually and supported the President, it would have strengthened the President’s legitimacy in a legitimate way. Nigerians might have said, "This President knows how to get things done." He stressed that the President’s power would have been reasserted if the lawmakers had shown accountability. In his view, this would have renewed public trust in the National Assembly.

In summary, Chidoka’s message is clear: the National Assembly must respect its own rules and uphold the principles of democracy. By using voice votes, they’ve done the opposite, leaving many Nigerians questioning the integrity of their leaders. This is a wake-up call for the Assembly to step up and show the respect and dignity that democracy demands.

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