From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has denied allegations that members were induced to ratify the Emergency Rule declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
The deputy spokesman of the House, Philip Agbese, who spoke in Abuja on Saturday, said the approval of the Emergency Rule was done out of patriotism and to ensure the restoration of lasting peace to Rivers State.
Agbese noted that the House, as an independent institution, is guided by the national interest and nothing more. He noted that allegations of inducement were lies.
According to him, “The allegation that members of the House of Representatives were induced with $5,000 to pass a resolution, is unfair to the Parliament. Very, very unfair to the Parliament. What we did on Thursday was to align ourselves with what I call the wisdom of King Solomon.
“At no point did members of the House engage in any financial inducement in relation to the state of emergency declaration. The decision was taken after extensive deliberations on the security and political situation in Rivers State, in line with our constitutional responsibilities to safeguard national stability.”
The lawmaker noted that “We deployed our wisdom as a Parliament, not to pander to sentiments or views expressed by groups outside. Yes, we are a people’s Parliament. We listen to the voices of Nigerians. Of course, there are people who say the state of emergency by Mr. President is wrong. There are those who also believe that it was done in the right manner to ensure that there is peace in that state.
“As a Parliament, our interest is to form a bridge, to ensure that our democracy continues to work. As a Parliament, our interest is to protect our democracy and democratic institutions. We resolved as a Parliament to make certain amendments to the proclamations made by Mr. President.”
Agbese explained that, in line with its commitment to the peace and progress of Rivers, the House made amendments to the request of the President.
“One is that the Parliament remains the law-making body as far as the country is concerned. We resolved that the National Assembly would take over the legislative duties of the Rivers Assembly within the period of time that the state of emergency is enforced.
“Secondly, we resolved as a Parliament that it must not necessarily be for six months for the parties to come together and resolve. Even if it is within two weeks, that these parties are able to resolve their differences and show that they are on the same page, Mr. President, in his wisdom, should also reduce the period from 180 days,” he stated.
The lawmaker added that the House, in its wisdom, equally resolved that a tripartite committee comprising eminent Nigerians, members of the Parliament, and members of the Executive Council be constituted to ensure that the warring groups in Rivers State are brought to a roundtable and an amicable resolution is reached.