A lawmaker has defended the use of voice vote by the House of Representatives in approving President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Dawodu Bashiru representing Oshodi/Isolo of Lagos State in the House of Representatives made the approval on Sunday, adding another layer of controversy to the crisis in the oil-rich state
Dawodu waved off criticisms over the lawmakers’ decision to go by voice vote saying the House was empowered to determine the voting format
He argued that while the lawmakers used electronic voting in some matters, the House of Representatives was not bound to do so in all situations.
The President’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers and suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu alongside members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, have been met with stiff opposition from prominent bodies and individuals across the country.
News Edited by Favour Owonibi