JONAS EZIEKE, Abuja
The Speaker House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas has urged the 21 Members of the House Ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Rule in Rivers State to always be transparent and non- partisan in carrying out their oversight duties in the state for the benefit of Rivers people and Nigerians at large.
Speaker Abbas who gave the charge in a remark at the formal inauguration of the 21-member Ad-Hoc Committee, charged the members of the committee to work towards the restoration of constitutional order, peace and stability in the state
The speaker further maintained that the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State has the constitutional commitment to transparent governance, adding that their existence is empowered by Section 5 of the State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation 2025 and Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)
He also spoke authoritatively about the mandate of the committee even as he urged all members to be non-partisan because according to the Speaker, their fundamental purpose and mandate is to monitor the strict implementation of federal directives and policies in Rivers State as well as ensure that the caretaker administration adheres to the rule of law, and protect the public interest and that of facilitating the re-establishment of full democratic governance in the state.
He stated: “the 10th House of Representatives inaugurates an Ad-Hoc Committee tasked with overseeing the administration of Rivers State during the present emergency period. This moment marks not only a critical milestone in our constitutional mandate but also a display of our dedication to transparent governance and the rule of law in our country”.
The number four citizen of Nigeria had recalled that on 18 March 2025, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a six-month State of Emergency in Rivers State, it was such a decisive action was taken out of genuine patriotism and a deep concern for the security and welfare of both the people of Rivers State and the country as a whole.
According to the Speaker, the President intervention was driven by the imperative to restore peace and to ensure that governance continues unhindered pointing out that such declaration was based on the provisions of Section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which was followed careful in the face of grave crises threatening public order that time.
The President’s extraordinary actions were not taken lightly noting that it reflected a profound sense of duty and responsibility and a recognition that when democratic institutions falter, decisive action is necessary to protect the interests of the nation.
He, however used the opportunity to recall past instances where Nigeria had to face similar challenges and had no alternative but to imposed State mergency in Plateau State in 2004 as well as in Ekiti State in 2006.
Again, the speaker also informed that in 2013, when President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States after a series of deadly attacks by terrorists and militant groups in those states.
According to the speaker, when such challenges occur, the National Assembly assumes a vital role in upholding constitutional order, pointing out that when states institutions were suspended, the intervention of the National Assembly ensured continuity in governance.
On the 21 member Ad-hoc Committee , the speaker explained that such decision is grounded in Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which confers upon the National Assembly, the authority to make laws for any state whose elected legislative body is unable to perform its statutory functions.
He Stated: “If at any time when any House of Assembly of a State is unable to perform its functions by reason of the situation prevailing in that State, the National Assembly may make such laws for the peace, order and good government of that State with respect to matters on which a House of Assembly may make laws as may appear to the National Assembly to be necessary or expedient until such time as the House of Assembly is able to resume its functions; and any such laws enacted by the National Assembly pursuant to this section shall have effect as if they were laws enacted by the House of Assembly of the Stats”.
Also speaking in a short remark during the event, the Chairman of the Committee who is also the Majority Leader Hon Prof Julius Ihonvbere commended the Speaker for the confident reposed on him and other members of the committee promising to deliver on all the mandates assigned.
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