Lawmakers deserve praise for approving Rivers emergency rule – Senate leader

 

The Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, on Saturday, defended the decision of the National Assembly to ratify the proclamation of the state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, saying lawmakers deserve commendation and not the backlash they got.

 

He said instead of being vilified, National Assembly members should be commended for approving the emergency rule.

 

Bamidele clarified this at the 29th convocation of Ekiti State University in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, where he bagged an honorary doctorate degree.

 

The convocation was attended by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jubril Barau; Deputy Leader of the Senate, Senator Lola Ashiru; Deputy Whip of the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi; and Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, among others.

 

The Senate leader received the honour alongside the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji and the Chairman of the Governing Board, Bank of Industry, Dr Mansur Muhtar

 

While defending their intervention on the emergency rule, Bamidele argued that as a responsible and responsive parliament, they treated the matter as an extraordinary measure in the interest of peace and without giving room for parochial interests.

 

He said, “What exactly do we want as a people? A federation that functions for all? Or a federation that relapses into an intractable crisis?

 

“We must recognise that emergency rule is an extraordinary measure, and it must be treated as such in the interest of peace and security.

 

“As stipulated in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the National Assembly is required to provide its details. The provisions of the 1999 Constitution cannot be interpreted casually without a proper understanding of the Nigeria Interpretation Act 2004.

 

“As a responsible and responsive parliament that sees peace and stability as a catalyst of growth and development, we were inaugurated into office to promote a nation that works for all and that guarantees the peaceful coexistence of all.”

 

Speaking further, the chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress observed that the ratification of the emergency rule by the National Assembly significantly eased political tension in the state.

The senate leader, however, lamented that rather than applaud the National Assembly for preventing anarchy, lawmakers were ‘subjected to all forms of toxic criticism’ that do not portray their image well before the comity of nations.

 

According to him, the barrage of attacks, especially from opposition parties, are viciously launched based on emotion and not reason.

 

“We should be commended for this laudable initiative and not be vilified by some political actors who do not bother about what happens to our national security but about their parochial interest. Regardless of their unpatriotic moves, we firmly stand for the peace and stability of Nigeria.

“We shall continue to leverage the authority of the National Assembly to guarantee her peaceful co-existence. Our decision, as an institution, is taken purely in the national interest. If any interest is unsatisfied with it, they can also seek redress in the law court.

 

“Regardless of the baseless attacks our critics are throwing at the National Assembly, we are undeterred because we are truly on a rescue mission. This does not suggest we are afraid of criticism. But such criticisms must be constructive and well structured to provide alternative, credible and patriotic initiatives, “Bamidele said.

 

Earlier in his address, Pro-Chancellor of the Institution, Prof Akin Oyebode, acknowledged the contribution of alumni of the institution toward its development, saying it plays significant roles in giving support to their alma mater, which also included the donation of two medical hostels (male and female) facilitated through Senator Bamidele.

 

According to him, the Senate leader also saw to the construction of two additional medical hostels, a mini stadium in the university and the construction of a two-kilometre road linking the alumni village with the College of Medicine, as well as the 500 capacities of CBE Centre and FM Radio Station.

 

Similarly, the Vice-chancellor of the university, Prof Joseph Ayodele said he was elated about the recent ranking of the institution as Nigeria’s best state varsity by the Times Higher Education.

 

Ayodele also noted that the success of the institution could be linked to improvement in the monthly subvention of the university from N260 million to N410 million monthly.

 

He commended the contribution of the alumni association to the rapid development of the institution through strategic collaboration with the leader of the Senate.