By Seyi Odewale
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Senator Neda Imansuen, has defended the upper legislative chamber’s endorsing of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The two chambers of the National Assembly last week approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which resulted in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and elected officials for six months and the appointment of a sole administrator by voice vote.
Some Nigerians, including former Labour Party presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi, have criticized using a voice vote on such crucial issues, adding that it is an insult to Nigerians and a breach of the 1999 constitution.
However, in an interview about the Senate’s action, Imansuan, who represents the Edo South Senatorial district in the National Assembly, told journalists in Benin City yesterday that it was done unanimously without a single nay.
He faulted those criticising the Senate’s position and noted that opposing everything the President brings to the National Assembly is not good politics.
Imansuen also stated that in the last two years, he has positively impacted the lives of his people in the seven local government areas that make up his senatorial district and disclosed that bills to establish a College of Agriculture in Edo State have passed first and second reading.
On the affirmation of the Senate on the emergency rule for River state, the Labour Party lawmaker said, “You see, we have written books which guide us on how to behave on the floor of the house by affirming either by voice vote or hand vote. In this case, it was a voice note, and it was unanimous and was the view of the Senate.”
He noted his impact in Edo South, “In Oredo and Orhionmwon local government areas, we have done a lot in terms of providing solar lights. Also, we have started a 2.1km road as we speak and a 3.5km road in Ovia North East with drainage.
“We have many impacting programmes such as the (Gen-z ) girl child event in Benin City including education and training on traditional child bearing programmes in addition to the provision of palliatives,” he stressed.
