State of Emergency Scandal! Tinubu’s Order Illegal? – Tambulwal Exposes Senate ‘Fraud’
Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former Governor of Sokoto State, has questioned the Senate’s approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proclamation of a State of Emergency in Rivers State. He claims the approval did not meet the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority.
According to Naija News, the Senate held a closed session last Thursday to discuss the proclamation. They later approved it through a voice vote during plenary. However, Tambuwal, who represents Sokoto South in the 10th Senate, insists that the approval violated Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution because it lacked the necessary votes.
Constitutional Violation Allegations
Tambuwal explained that the Constitution clearly outlines the process for declaring a State of Emergency.
He stated, “Section 305 of the Constitution is very clear. The president can declare a State of Emergency, but for it to be valid, the National Assembly—both the Senate and the House of Representatives—must approve it with a two-thirds majority.”
Tambuwal emphasized that at least 73 out of 109 senators must vote in favor for the approval to be valid. He claimed that the number of senators present during the vote did not meet this requirement.
Lack of Required Senators
He questioned whether enough senators were present at the time of voting.
“I don’t know if journalists checked the Senate register, but from what I saw, there were not enough senators on the floor to reach 73,” Tambuwal said.
He argued that if the Senate did not meet the two-thirds majority requirement, the approval is unconstitutional and invalid.
Ignoring Past Precedents
Tambuwal also criticized the National Assembly for disregarding past procedures. He pointed out that previous administrations, including those of President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013, strictly followed the two-thirds majority rule before declaring a State of Emergency.
“What stops the current National Assembly from following its own records and precedents? I don’t understand,” he added.
Conclusion
Senator Tambuwal’s claims raise serious legal and constitutional concerns regarding the Senate’s approval process. If his arguments hold, it could lead to further scrutiny and potential challenges to the decision. The controversy highlights the importance of adhering to constitutional provisions in legislative processes.
State of Emergency Scandal! Tinubu’s Order Illegal? – Tambulwal Exposes Senate ‘Fraud’
