Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has said members of the House have not received any official communication from the Speaker regarding the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking to journalists after Wednesday’s plenary session at the National Assembly complex, Agbese said that even though the president invited principal officers of the National Assembly to a meeting yesterday at the Presidential Villa, other lawmakers learned about it from newspapers like other Nigerians.
Agbese’s position differed from that of the Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, who on Tuesday said the President’s formal letter, informing the House of Representatives of his decision and seeking approval in line with Section 305 of the Constitution, had been transmitted and would be read during plenary on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, after which further legislative action would be debated and decided.
Agbese, however, confirmed that Speaker Tajudeen Abbas had not presented any formal letter from the President on the floor of the House.
“It means it has not been debated. It means the Parliament has not taken any position, and until it is debated, there is nothing we can do about it for now. So, for us as a Parliament, it is still the same way Nigerians have seen it from the pages of newspapers,” Agbese stated.
Although the leadership of the National Assembly was invited to the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, he noted that no official report had been conveyed to the House.
He stressed that the Parliament would strictly adhere to constitutional provisions in addressing the matter.
“The President, in his broadcast yesterday, mentioned Section 305 of the Constitution, but because the Parliament has not taken any position, I must be careful in my comments. As the Deputy Spokesperson of the Parliament, I must be guided by what we discuss here as an institution,” he added.
Agbese also disclosed that consultations were ongoing among various caucuses, including the Benue Caucus and the Northern Caucus, in preparation for when the matter is eventually brought before the House.
“I believe tomorrow, when it comes up for debate, by God’s grace, you will see members making their input,” he added.
President Bola Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State for six months.
The President also suspended the Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara; his Deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu; as well as the members of the State House of Assembly.
Tinubu further nominated Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state for the period.
