Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the Senate Spokesman and representative of Ekiti South Senatorial District, recounted the Senate’s vote on the state of emergency rule in Rivers State. According to him, a total of 106 senators attended the session where the vote was held. When the question was posed to the members on whether they supported the emergency rule, 74 of them voted in favor, saying “Yes,” while no one opposed the motion.
Adaramodu noted that this vote came after a comprehensive discussion, conducted in a closed-door session as required by the Senate‘s rules for matters involving national security. He stressed that this procedure was followed properly, emphasizing that such discussions should not take place in the public domain.
“The rules say it must be through the closed session when issues of security matters are discussed, that you cannot be debating it in the open globally. We did not bend the rules; we did what we needed to do!” he explained.
He also expressed concern about how some Nigerians interpret the Constitution and national laws to suit their personal agendas.
“It is very unfortunate that everybody in Nigeria wants to interpret the rules and the constitution of Nigeria the way they like. Over 200 million Nigerians interpret the constitution of Nigeria, as a lawmaker, a lawyer, and a judge,” Adaramodu remarked.
Senator Adaramodu highlighted that the Senate’s actions were based on the understanding that a state of emergency was necessary to restore governance in Rivers State, especially after the political turmoil in the state. He said the crisis stemmed from the Governor and the House of Assembly members’ failure to govern effectively, with only three lawmakers loyal to the Governor out of 32.
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He also revealed that the emergency rule would not necessarily last six months, depending on how the situation evolves. The appointed administrator would be accountable to both the Presidency and the National Assembly, which would retain oversight responsibilities. Furthermore, a committee would be set up to mediate between the factions involved in the conflict in Rivers State.
Adaramodu firmly rejected the notion that the Senate operates as a rubber-stamp body, emphasizing that their role is to partner with the executive while making laws, leaving the execution of those laws to the government.
“We are not in the Senate with gloves in our hands to go and be knocking and be fighting the executives or other arms of government. That is not our calling. Our calling is that we are partners in progress,” he said.
Finally, he reiterated that the National Assembly’s focus remains on passing vital laws for the country, such as those relating to appropriations and the creation of higher institutions, while also addressing other key national issues.