ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has strongly criticized the National Assembly’s approval of the state of emergency in Rivers State, raising concerns over constitutional breaches and the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
In a statement released on Friday, AAN questioned the decision by both the Senate and the House of Representatives to endorse President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation without a transparent two-thirds majority vote. The organization argued that relying on a voice vote instead of a verifiable count undermines the constitutional process and sets a dangerous precedent.
“While the 1999 Constitution grants the President the authority to declare a state of emergency, it explicitly requires approval by a two-thirds majority of both chambers,” the statement noted. “Relying on a voice vote instead of an official count makes it impossible to confirm compliance with this constitutional requirement — a blatant disregard for due process and a serious breach of Nigeria’s democratic principles.”
ActionAid warned that this action erodes public trust in Nigeria’s democracy and opens the door for future legislative overreach. “If this decision is allowed to stand, it could embolden future lawmakers to bypass constitutional safeguards, including the removal of a sitting president, through a voice vote.”
AAN’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, stressed the urgency of upholding the rule of law. “The judiciary must assert its independence and hold both the executive and legislative arms accountable. Failing to do so would signal an endorsement of lawlessness and further weaken Nigeria’s democratic framework,” he said.
ActionAid called on the National Assembly to provide verifiable proof of meeting the constitutional requirement and urged civil society, legal experts, and political stakeholders to challenge the decision in court to protect Nigeria’s constitutional order.
