Atiku: N’assembly leadership corrupt — not surprised emergency rule was ratified

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says he is not surprised that the national assembly ratified the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers state.

On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers over the protracted political crisis in the state.

The president had suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers assembly for an initial period of six months.

The president appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice admiral, as the sole administrator of the state.

Forty-eight hours later, the senate and the house of representatives controversially approved Tinubu’s request for the emergency rule.

Several stakeholders have condemned the emergency rule in Rivers.

With 360 members in the green chamber and 109 in the red chamber, Tinubu needed at least 240 votes in the house of representatives and 73 in the senate for his proclamation to stand.

However, the senate and house of representatives approved the emergency rule with a voice vote — a method that does not tell the number of lawmakers in support of or against a motion.

In the trailer for ‘Untold Stories with Adesuwa’, an interview programme set to air in full on Wednesday, Atiku was asked if he was surprised that the president’s request for a state of emergency was hastily endorsed by federal lawmakers.

The former vice-president accused the leadership of the national assembly of being “corrupt”, adding that they have the tendency to do anything.

“I was not surprised because I know the leadership is corrupt. No apologies about that. They could do anything,” Atiku said.

The 2023 PDP presidential candidate said he has not seen Nigeria more in dire need of credible and experienced leadership “than this time”.