Taiwo Popoola
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has justified the unanimous ratification of the state of emergency slammed on Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the heat of the festering political crisis brewing in the state.
The senator representing Ekiti Central posited that his colleagues ratified the proclamation in spite of public outcries against it in national interest, and not on the basis of partisanship, or pandering to the whims and caprices of the presidency.
The National Assembly had a couple of weeks ago, given the state of emergency declared by President Tinubu in Rivers State, a clean bill, leading to the suspension of the River State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly, who were the major actors in the political imbroglio.
Speaking while being honored with an Honourary Doctoral Degree of Law by the management of the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, on Saturday, Bamidele said the nod given to the presidential proclamation was in defence of their oaths of office to always work wholeheartedly for Nigerian interest.
Bamidele added that the National Assembly, as a pivotal arm of government sworn to an oath to collaborate and work with other arms to bring radical socio-political and economic development to the nation, saying their action was in full alignment with this onerous duty.
The All-Progressives Congress chieftain assured Nigerians that the Senate under the current leadership of Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, will continually work in collaboration with the executive arm to lift the nation to an enviable height in all economic spheres.
Bamidele assured that the parliamentarians won’t prioritise personal interest over public interests so that Nigeria can assume a pedestal of pride among the comity of nations.
“Before I close this remark, let me quickly reflect on the proclamation of the state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and its ratification by two chambers of the National Assembly.
“For this laudable decision that prevented further descent into anarchy in Rivers State, the National Assembly has been subjected to all forms of toxic criticism that do not portray us well before the comity of nations. But 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) that the National Assembly is required to provide its details.
“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.
” This desire defines our resolve to ratify the proclamation of the state of emergency in Rivers State with far-reaching provisions. One such provision is the constitution of the National Peace Committee to midwife the peace process between the Executive and Legislature in the state.
” 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 as well seek redress in the court,” he said.
Senator Bamidele, who said the Senate would neither waver nor fret in the face of a barrage of criticisms, described these as part of democratic growth, adding that such reactions would imbue them with more courage and zeal to work for the public good.
“This does not suggest we are afraid of criticisms as the foremost democratic institution. We are not and we will never be, because we believe democracy naturally thrives on public criticism. But such criticisms must be constructive and well-structured, intending to provide alternative, credible and patriotic initiatives.
“The reasons for such attacks are purely based on emotion and not reason; sentiment and not substance. Even more strongly, I believe it is an impetus for the pursuit of greater public good for the greater number of my constituents and Nigerians at large,” he added.
