House to reconvene on Thursday

The house of representatives will reconvene on Thursday to consider President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for the extension of the state of emergency in Yobe, Adamawa and Borno states.

The house had, on October 28, adjourned till December 3 to allow members prepare for the 2015 elections.

This was moments after Aminu Tambuwal, the speaker, informed the lower chamber that he was no longer a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

On Tuesday, Jonathan officially requested the approval of the senate and the house for another extension of the state of emergency first declared on May 14, 2013.

The president’s letter read: “May I respectfully draw‎ your attention to the state of emergency proclamation 2013 in respect of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, which was approved by the national assembly and extended for a further period of six months by the national assembly as conveyed by the clerk of the national assembly in a letter dated May, 21 2014.

“By virtue of provisions of section 305 subsection 6(c) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, the proclamation aforementioned will elapse after a period of six months from the date of approval of the national assembly except the period is extended by the National Assembly.

“Consequently, it has become imperative to request the approval of the senate for extension of the period for the state of emergency for a further period of six months.

“In view of the foregoing, I most respectfully request distinguished senators‎ to consider and approve by resolution the extension of the proclamation of the state of emergency by a further period of six months from the date of expiration of the current period.

“I look forward to distinguished senate president to the usual kind expeditious consideration of the above request by the senate of the federal republic of Nigeria.”

Tambuwal subsequently issued a notice to “a special session” of the house following a request by the president.

“On Tuesday, 18th November 2014, I received a communication from the President,Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, requesting for the extension of the existing State of Emergency in Adamawa , Borno and Yobe States by the House of Representatives,” the notice read.

“Pursuant to the powers conferred on me by Section 305 ( 2 ) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which requires me to ‘forthwith convene or arrange a meeting of the House’ and in order to treat the extension before the expiration of the current State of Emergency in accordance with Section 305 (6) (c) of the Constitution, I hereby reconvene the House of Representatives, currently on Recess, as follows :

Date : Thursday, 20th November, 2014
Time : 11:00 am prompt
Venue : House of Representatives Chambers,
Agenda : Consideration of Mr President’s request for extension of the existing State of Emergency.

“All Honourable Members are requested to attend this Special Session , please.”

The police withdrew Tambuwal’s security aides two days after his defection, saying he was no longer the speaker, having changed parties.

It is now left to be seen if he would be allowed to preside over the house when it reconvenes.