Atiku Abubakar: I’m Not Surprised National Assembly Approved Rivers Emergency Rule
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says he is not surprised that the National Assembly ratified the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.
On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers over the prolonged political crisis in the state.
As part of the declaration, the president suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. He then appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice admiral, as the sole administrator of the state.
Just 48 hours later, both the Senate and the House of Representatives controversially approved the president’s request, despite widespread criticism from political stakeholders.
With 360 members in the House of Representatives and 109 in the Senate, Tinubu required at least 240 votes in the House and 73 in the Senate for the emergency rule to stand. However, the approval was done through a voice vote—a method that does not reveal the exact number of lawmakers in support or opposition.
In a preview of an upcoming episode of Untold Stories with Adesuwa, set to air on Wednesday, Atiku was asked if he was surprised by the speed at which the National Assembly endorsed the emergency rule.
The former vice president did not hold back, accusing the leadership of the legislature of corruption and a willingness to act without integrity.
“I was not surprised because I know the leadership is corrupt. No apologies about that. They could do anything,” Atiku said.
Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, added that Nigeria has never been in greater need of credible and experienced leadership than it is now.
