National Assembly Condemns PDP-Controlled States for Challenging Emergency Rule in Rivers State

The National Assembly has strongly criticized the 11 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-controlled states that have challenged the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing them as “meddlesome interlopers” with no legal standing to file such a suit.

In a counter-affidavit filed at the Supreme Court, the National Assembly argued that the PDP states lack the standing to institute the suit, as they have failed to demonstrate how the emergency proclamation directly impacts them more than it does the people of Rivers State.

The PDP states, which include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba, and Zamfara, had filed a suit seeking to nullify the emergency proclamation and prevent further legislative approval of such measures.

However, the National Assembly maintained that it had followed due process in ratifying the emergency rule, using the voice vote method in accordance with constitutional provisions.

The Assembly argued that the voice vote was constitutional and that the Houses of the National Assembly had met the mandatory constitutional prescription of more than two-thirds majority. It also warned that issuing an injunction to restrain the legislature from performing its constitutional duties would violate the doctrine of separation of powers.

Furthermore, the National Assembly pointed out that the plaintiffs had failed to serve the required three-month pre-action notice to the Clerk of the National Assembly and had not secured resolutions from their respective state Houses of Assembly authorizing them to bring the suit.

These violations, the Assembly argued, render the case procedurally defective.

Describing the suit as “speculative, unfounded, frivolous, and a vexatious waste of resources,” the National Assembly urged the court to dismiss it and award costs of N1 billion jointly and severally against the plaintiffs. The Assembly also filed a preliminary objection, restating its position that the suit lacks merit and should be struck out.

In a related development, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), acknowledged that while the state was relatively calm, the situation remained fragile. Ibas was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in March following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials.

The National Assembly’s strong response to the PDP-controlled states’ challenge highlights the ongoing tensions between the federal government and the opposition party. The outcome of the suit will have significant implications for the governance of Rivers State and the balance of power between the federal government and the states.