Atiku: Corrupt NASS Leadership Behind Rivers Emergency Rule Approval

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed no surprise over the National Assembly’s swift approval of the state of emergency declared in Rivers State, attributing the move to corruption within its leadership. 

On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers due to a prolonged political crisis.

The proclamation led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. In their place, Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice admiral, was appointed as the sole administrator of the state.

Just 48 hours later, the Senate and the House of Representatives controversially approved Tinubu’s request through a voice vote—a method that does not reveal the exact number of lawmakers in support or opposition. With 360 members in the House of Representatives and 109 in the Senate, the law required at least 240 votes in the lower chamber and 73 in the upper chamber to validate the emergency rule.

In a preview of the upcoming episode of ‘Untold Stories with Adesuwa,’ set to air on Wednesday, Atiku was asked if he was surprised by the National Assembly’s quick endorsement of the president’s request.

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

Atiku, who was the PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, emphasized that Nigeria has never been in greater need of credible and experienced leadership than it is now.

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