State of emergency: Representatives refute $5,000 Inducement allegation (19459000)
The House of Representatives has categorically denied that it received $5,000 as an inducement for its members to approve President Bola Ahmad Tinubu’s request of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.
The Deputy Spokesman for the House is Hon. Philip Agbese of the APC (Benue) described in an Abuja interview on Saturday that this allegation was false, malicious, and coming from “the pits of hell”.
Hon. Agbese stated that the House’s Thursday resolution on declaring a State of Emergency in Rivers came out of patriotism, and to restore lasting peace in River State.
At no time did any members of the House receive financial incentives in relation to the declaration of a state of emergency. He said that the decision came after extensive discussions on security and politics in Rivers State. “This was in accordance with our constitutional responsibility to protect national stability,” Mr. Ayodele stated.
Any suggestion that legislators were paid is a pure fabrication, intended to further the agenda of those seeking to manipulate facts and cause tension in the nation. The House of Representatives is an independent body guided by democratic principles and law. It also reflects the will of Nigerians.
Our duty is to take decisions in the public interest and not be distracted by baseless accusations that aim to undermine trust. “The allegations of corruption are an attempt to undermine the House, and they must be treated as the political farce that it really is”.
Agbese made a comparison between King Solomon’s wisdom and the story in the Bible of two women disputing the parentage of a child (1 Kings 3:16-28).
The President acted like King Solomon when two women fighting about the properness of a baby came to him. “These people are interested in Rivers State’s progress and development,” said he.
They love the state and work hard to keep it. “They love the state, and they are working hard for it.”
The member of parliament said that they were interested in the well-being of people in Rivers State and approved the declaration of an emergency in Rivers State out of patriotism, and not because of any financial considerations as was alleged.
Agbese pointed out that, in the wisdom of its decision to ratify Mr. President’s proclamation on emergency conditions, Parliament made some important adjustments.
The first is that Parliament is the only lawmaking authority in the entire country. He said that we had decided that during the time of state of emergency, the National Assembly will take on the legislative duties that were previously performed by the Rivers Assembly.
Second, as a parliament we decided that the parties did not have to resolve their differences within six months. “Even if these parties are able to resolve their disagreements within two weeks and demonstrate that they’re on the same page in Mr. Presiden’s wisdom, he should reduce 180 days.”
Hon. Agbese stated that he believed President Bola Ahmad Tinubu would not act against the democratic institutions of the country as a true democracy.
We know the President well. He’s a Democrat. In Nigeria, he has been a defender of democracy. He is a man who will always fight to defend this democracy.
We have had a relationship with him for almost two years as President of our country. As our President, we have been in contact with him. We’ve seen him express his concerns.
The 10th House of Representatives have seen genuine concerns. We believe that Mr. Presiden will end the state of Emergency in this state if the issues can be resolved within six months.
Hon. Agbese stated that in their wisdom the House also resolved to form a three-partite panel consisting of eminent Nigerians and Members of Parliament, with members of Executive Council on the other side, to bring the warring factions in Rivers State to a table and reach a peaceful resolution.
Agbese blamed the “fifth-columnists” for the notion that members of parliament were being bribed. He also said the opposition was out to damage the reputation of the Parliament.
Benue’s lawmaker called on Nigerians continue their support, and assured that they would always act in the best interest of the citizens as the ‘Peoples’ House’.
He was optimistic that the Rivers State Government and Rivers Assembly would bounce back and be stronger after the State of Emergency is lifted, for the good of all and progress of Rivers State.
In response to the controversies surrounding quorums, Mr. Agbese stated that the House met the quorum requirement with 243 Members in attendance.
