The National Assembly was fully consulted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, the House of Representatives spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, has clarified.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, Rotimi emphasized that the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly was involved in discussions with the president prior to the announcement.
He noted that key figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, and House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, were present in meetings with President Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
“In response to multiple inquiries, I can confirm that the National Assembly was duly consulted by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, before reaching this decision,” Rotimi stated.
He further disclosed that high-ranking security officials were also in attendance during these discussions, including Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) Adeola Ajayi, and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Mohammed Mohammed.
According to Rotimi, the legislators and security chiefs were fully briefed on the president’s intentions and unanimously expressed their support for the move.
He also confirmed that President Tinubu had formally communicated his decision to the House of Representatives, in line with Section 305 of the Constitution, seeking legislative approval. The letter will be read during plenary on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, after which further legislative deliberations will take place.
