Tambuwal Calls Out Senate Over Rivers State Emergency Proclamation

Sen. Tambuwal Questions Senate’s Decision on Rivers State Emergency

Listen up, folks: Former Governor of Sokoto State and current Senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has taken a bold stance against the recent Senate decision to approve President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proclamation of a State of Emergency in Rivers State. Tambuwal is making waves by arguing that the Senate did not meet the constitutional two-thirds majority required to pass such a significant decision. Let me break this down for you.

According to Naija News, last Thursday, the Senate held a closed session to deliberate on the president’s proclamation. Afterward, they approved it during plenary through a voice vote. But here’s the kicker—Tambuwal, representing Sokoto South in the 10th Senate, is speaking out, claiming that the necessary two-thirds majority wasn’t reached. This oversight, he argues, violates Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

What the Constitution Says

Tambuwal, who was present during the closed session deliberation, emphasized the importance of adhering to constitutional requirements when declaring a state of emergency. He explained it like this: “Section 305 of the Constitution is crystal clear. There’s no ambiguity. The language is plain and straightforward. It outlines exactly how the president can declare a state of emergency and what the legislature—both the Senate and the House of Representatives—must do before passing such a resolution.”

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He went on to clarify further: “To approve a state of emergency, you need to secure two-thirds of all members of either chamber—both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This is not optional; it’s a constitutional mandate. If the Senate didn’t have enough senators present to meet that requirement, then the decision falls short of what the Constitution demands.”

Where Were the Senators?

Tambuwal shared his observations from the session, pointing out that he didn’t see enough senators on the floor to meet the constitutional threshold. He said, “I don’t know if anyone from the press corps bothered to check the Senate register to confirm whether there were at least 72 or 73 senators present. From where I sat, it was clear that there weren’t enough senators on the floor that day.”

He added, “When you compare this situation to the Constitution’s requirement that the Senate must have two-thirds of its members present to pass such a resolution, it’s evident that the process didn’t meet the constitutional standard. This is a serious issue, and it undermines the integrity of the legislative process.”

History Lessons and Precedents

Tambuwal also highlighted past instances where the National Assembly strictly adhered to the two-thirds majority rule. He mentioned the administrations of President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013, where the required majority was followed without question.

He questioned, “Why can’t the current National Assembly refer to its own precedents? These records are stored in their own library, their own archives. I just don’t understand why they’re ignoring these important lessons from history. It’s part of the problem we’re facing today.”

Why This Matters

For Tambuwal, this isn’t just about numbers or procedure—it’s about upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the legislative process is transparent and constitutional. By speaking out, he’s reminding us all that democracy thrives when we respect and follow the rules laid out in our Constitution. It’s a call to action for all stakeholders to ensure that decisions of this magnitude are made with integrity and accountability.

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As we continue to watch how this unfolds, one thing is clear: Tambuwal isn’t backing down. He’s standing firm in his belief that the Senate must do better, and he’s not afraid to speak truth to power.