Abuja, Nigeria – In a dramatic turn of events, lawmakers in the National Assembly reportedly received substantial cash incentives as the federal administration sought to avert a significant setback in securing approval for President Bola Tinubu’s emergency declaration in Rivers State, according to report.
Sources indicate that eleven legislators—comprising seven senators and four House of Representatives members—revealed that they were offered as much as $25,000 to endorse President Tinubu’s use of Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution. The provision was invoked to dissolve democratic institutions in the state, including the removal of Governor Simi Fubara and state legislators, and the subsequent installation of military governance.
A legislator speaking under anonymity expressed concerns over attendance reluctance among members. “Many lawmakers are hesitant to attend parliamentary proceedings. Some, particularly from Borno, have been advised by their governors to distance themselves from the proposal to impose emergency rule in Rivers,” the lawmaker stated.
During a closed-door session in the House on Thursday morning, only 113 out of 360 representatives were in attendance—falling short of the 120 required for a quorum.
To counteract the dwindling support, financial incentives were allegedly proposed by key allies of the president, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, according to sources. Out of 14 lawmakers interviewed, 11 acknowledged receiving monetary offers. Seven legislators confirmed that they received $25,000 between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, while four others received $15,000 within the same time frame. Two lawmakers disclosed that they had been approached with offers but declined them.
Opposition senator Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party, a known critic of the emergency rule, stated unequivocally that he neither received nor rejected any financial inducements.
Reports suggest that the payments were collected at various locations in Abuja, though the origin of the funds remains uncertain. Lawmakers reportedly began receiving offers around 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, as the administration struggled to gather the necessary votes for ratification of the emergency rule by Thursday afternoon.
President Tinubu declared the emergency rule on Tuesday night, citing escalating political tensions between Governor Fubara and legislators aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike. The announcement was swiftly followed by the appointment of retired naval chief Ibok-Etuk Ekwe Ibas to oversee the state for six months.
The proclamation triggered widespread criticism from constitutional experts and the general public, who labeled it unconstitutional and detrimental to national stability. As per constitutional requirements, the president has 48 hours to secure parliamentary approval for the decree to remain in force. However, legal scholars argue that the constitution does not explicitly empower the president to unilaterally remove an elected government of a sovereign state.
Wednesday presented the first opportunity for lawmakers to approve the proclamation, yet both chambers failed to meet the required attendance. In the House of Representatives, only 80 of 360 lawmakers were present—well below the 120 needed to establish a quorum.
For the emergency rule to gain legitimacy, the law mandates the backing of two-thirds of the National Assembly, requiring the endorsement of 240 House members and 73 senators. The administration’s struggle to secure the necessary votes has intensified scrutiny, raising concerns about the integrity of the legislative process and the legality of the emergency declaration.
As this development unfolds, the nation watches closely, anticipating how the legislative body will navigate the legal and political complexities surrounding the controversial proclamation. This report is based on investigative findings by Peoples Gazette.
