From: Joy Musa
The Northern Minority Consultative Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a scathing rebuke of House of Representatives members who are backing President Bola Tinubu's decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and by extension declared a state of emergency. The forum, in a statement released earlier today, expressed deep concern over the legal and constitutional implications of the suspension, claiming that it lacked the proper procedural backing.
According to the forum Spokesman Mr Jalo Enock, the suspension of Governor Fubara was not only politically motivated but also legally flawed, as it was not in line with the constitutional requirement for such decisions. Section 305(6)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution, the forum emphasized, mandates that resolutions of the House regarding such matters must be supported by two-thirds of all the members, not just those present during the vote. This is a critical distinction, they argued, as a voice vote only reflects the will of those present and does not guarantee that the two-thirds majority required by the Constitution has been met.
The forum pointed out that there was no clear mechanism in place to determine whether the majority of the House truly supported the resolution, especially since the vote was taken by voice and lacked the transparency needed for such a significant action. “The voice vote conducted was insufficient to ensure that the necessary constitutional thresholds were met,” said a spokesperson for the forum. “The procedure was rushed and lacked the full approval of the entire membership of the House, as required by law.”
The PDP Northern Minority Consultative Forum further criticized the action as an overreach of executive power, warning that such decisions could set a dangerous precedent for future governance. "This act represents a disturbing trend where constitutional processes are disregarded for political expediency," the statement continued. "It undermines the very principles of democracy and constitutional rule in Nigeria."
The forum also urged members of the House of Representatives, especially those from opposition parties, to stand firm in their commitment to upholding the Constitution and ensuring that all decisions are made in full compliance with legal procedures. They called for a full review of the suspension process, emphasizing the need for a transparent and constitutional approach to governance.
The suspension of Governor Fubara has already sparked significant controversy, with opponents accusing the administration of using the matter as a tool for political suppression. As the debate continues to unfold, all eyes are now on the House of Representatives and the broader political establishment to see how this legal and political crisis will ultimately be resolved.
The PDP Northern Minority Consultative Forum has vowed to pursue all legal avenues to ensure that the constitution is upheld and that such actions are properly scrutinized in accordance with Nigerian law.
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