Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party and ex-Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, has criticised the approval of the emergency rule proclamation in Rivers State, warning that lawmakers’ grandchildren may one day question how they voted on the matter.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today after both the Senate and the House of Representatives backed President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers through a voice vote, Ogbeh expressed concerns over the lack of transparency in the voting process.
According to him, the method of approving crucial decisions through *ayes* and *nays* is flawed and does not reflect the true stance of individual legislators.
“Ayes and nays do not give us a clear picture of the position and the moral authority of individual senators or members of the House.
“Nobody should hide under a shadow. If you want a vote, say so; if you don’t want it, say so. But this ayes and nays is a camouflage, it doesn’t work.
“When the matter came before the National Assembly for voting, I would like to suggest to the National Assembly to install a capacity in the future for individual voting which they can print out; not ayes and nays.
“Someday, 10 to 20 years from now, their children and grandchildren and researchers would like to find out how individuals voted on particular bills,” he stated.
Ogbeh also weighed in on the broader implications of the Rivers crisis, particularly its potential impact on the Niger Delta region. He cautioned against allowing political conflicts to escalate into a larger crisis that could destabilise the region.
“Rivers State is bigger than any individual. We as a country and as countrymen are not interested in watching a situation where Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta will go up in flames.
“Nigeria has lived off the Niger Delta for 40 years. We appreciate what they have done for Nigeria because their oil has been fuelling our expenditure.
“Nobody wants a crisis in the Niger Delta,” he said.
Ogbeh further advised President Tinubu to have sought mediation from respected national figures before taking the drastic step of declaring a state of emergency.
He stated, “The President should have called notable Nigerians to mediate in the Rivers matter and appeal to the warring parties to sheathe their swords.”