Real reason northern Reps won’t allow Rivers’ emergency rule to fail – Doguwa

The leader of the Northern Caucus in the House of Representatives, Alhassan Doguwa, has declared full support for President Bola Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State, vowing that northern lawmakers will ensure its success.

In a statement on Thursday, the Kano lawmaker criticized opposition politicians for condemning the president’s move, arguing that it was a necessary step to curb lawlessness and protect national assets.

“In view of the ongoing discourse on the state of emergency in Rivers State, we are compelled to state clearly that the steps taken by Mr. President and C-in-C of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are apt, timely, and constitutionally appropriate. We, as a legislative institution, will not allow Mr. President’s constitutional declaration of emergency to fail,” Doguwa stated.

He accused political opponents of playing partisan politics with the issue, insisting that lawmakers would not tolerate any further breakdown of law and order.

“The opposition are simply trying to be political about this matter. While we are not insensitive to the constitutional imperatives and implications involved, we will not, however, ignore or take for granted the derailment of law and order in Rivers State. We cannot also, as a legislative house or as a government, sit down and allow miscreants, hoodlums, and politically motivated thugs to continue to destroy critical national assets at the expense of our national economy,” he added.

Doguwa further alleged that the destruction of vital infrastructure in the oil and gas sector was allegedly being carried out with the involvement of the suspended governor of the state and other political actors outside Rivers.

“In the circumstances, therefore, I would like to, on behalf of the Northern Regional Caucus of the 10th House of Representatives, state that we are in total support of the state of emergency declared by Mr. President in the discharge of his constitutional powers as clearly stated in Section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The lawmaker urged opposition leaders to put national interest above partisan considerations, emphasizing that the rule of law must be upheld.

“The so-called coalition of opposition party leaders must live above partisan lines and be wary of the fact that the laws of the land are unambiguously sacrosanct and cannot be contemplated by anyone. The legislative institution of our country, of which we are collectively members, is in this case guided by our moral conscience, commitment to protecting democratic ideals, respect for our supreme legal document, and of course, historical precedence. Nigeria is indeed greater than any selfish coalition and its conspiracies,” he declared.

Doguwa’s remarks come amid heated political tensions in Rivers State, where the declaration of emergency rule has sparked fierce debate across party lines.