Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a prominent leader and presidential candidate, has condemned the National Assembly for what he describes as its “rubber-stamping” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State. Kwankwaso, who is known for his outspoken stance on national issues, expressed his deep concern about the lack of rigorous scrutiny and debate in the legislative process surrounding this decision.
In a statement released to the press, Kwankwaso stated, “The actions of the National Assembly in hastily approving the emergency rule in Rivers State, without adequate deliberation or consideration of its implications, are deeply troubling. The constitution of Nigeria was put in place to ensure that checks and balances exist in our democracy. What we have witnessed in the past few days is a direct violation of that principle.”
The emergency rule, which was declared by President Tinubu in response to what was described as escalating violence and insecurity in Rivers State, has sparked widespread debate across the nation. Many have raised concerns about the potential abuse of executive power, with fears that the imposition of emergency rule may be used to stifle political opposition and undermine democratic processes.
Kwankwaso further criticized the lack of engagement from key members of the National Assembly, stating, “It is alarming to see a National Assembly that is supposed to be the voice of the people act as nothing more than a rubber stamp for the executive. This body, which was elected to represent the interests of the people, has failed to perform its constitutional duty of holding the executive accountable.”
The senator also called for a more thorough examination of the circumstances that led to the declaration of emergency rule, urging both the executive and legislative branches to prioritize the protection of the rule of law and the preservation of democratic principles.
“Rivers State is not just another political playground for power games. It is home to millions of Nigerians whose rights and freedoms must be safeguarded,” Kwankwaso said. “I call on the National Assembly to uphold its constitutional duty, engage in proper debate, and ensure that the actions taken by the executive do not undermine the very essence of our democracy.”