Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has strongly denounced members of the National Assembly for approving President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State by means of a voice vote—a move he says breaches the 1999 Constitution.
Speaking on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, Obi lambasted the lawmakers for sidestepping established constitutional procedures. “The Constitution is clear that this cannot be done through a voice vote but by calling individuals to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no,’” he tweeted, adding that such a method is incapable of accurately capturing the two-thirds majority required for such a pivotal decision.
Obi’s criticism comes amid mounting concerns from opposition leaders, who have long warned against the unlawful removal of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the dissolution of the State Assembly. In his series of tweets, Obi argued that the casual use of a voice vote not only undermines the legal framework but also erodes public trust in the democratic process.
“A simple call of ‘Aye’ or ‘Nay’ cannot accurately measure this crucial threshold,” Obi wrote, stressing that when a supermajority is required, recorded votes—be it by division, roll call, or electronically—are necessary to ensure transparency and accountability.
He warned that the precedent set by this shortcut could have dangerous ramifications: “If we can bend the rules so easily, what stops us from undermining other pillars of democracy? Today, it’s a voice vote on a state of emergency — tomorrow, it could be a voice vote on citizens’ fundamental rights.”
Obi’s remarks come at a time when the legitimacy of emergency measures is under intense scrutiny. His pointed critique reflects broader anxieties about due process and the safeguarding of constitutional norms—a concern that, if left unchecked, could pave the way for further erosion of democratic institutions in Nigeria.
As the debate intensifies, opposition figures continue to call for a return to the constitutional basics, arguing that every significant decision, especially one that alters the course of national governance, must be made with utmost clarity and recorded accountability. For Obi, the integrity of the electoral process and the preservation of citizens’ rights are at stake, and he urged lawmakers to honor their constitutional commitments rather than resort to expedient yet perilous shortcuts.
