Akin Rotimi Clarifies National Assembly's Role In Rivers State Emergency Declaration

House Spokesperson Akin Rotimi Speaks Up on Tinubu's Decision

Here's the scoop: Akin Rotimi, the spokesperson for the House of Representatives, has stepped forward to set the record straight. In a recent statement made in Abuja, Rotimi assured the public that the National Assembly was thoroughly looped in before President Bola Tinubu made his announcement regarding the political crisis in Rivers State. This clarification comes amid swirling questions about the level of consultation that took place before such a significant decision was made.

Inside the Meetings: A Closer Look at Who Was Involved

Let me break it down for you. Rotimi went on to reveal that the National Assembly's top brass was not only informed but actively participated in discussions leading up to the declaration of the state of emergency. The list of key players includes the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen. Joining them were the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Bamidele, and the House Leader, Rep. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere. These leaders were all part of high-stakes meetings with President Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Rotimi stated, "Look, I get it. Everyone's asking questions. But let me be crystal clear: the National Assembly was fully engaged by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in making this decision. This wasn't a last-minute call; it was a well-thought-out process involving everyone who matters."

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The Meeting Details: Who Was in the Room?

Now, here’s the inside story. Rotimi elaborated that the leadership of the National Assembly, including all the names mentioned earlier, convened with the President and the National Security Adviser ahead of the announcement. But it didn’t stop there. Key security officials were also present, including the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Adeola Ajayi, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed. During this meeting, everyone got a detailed briefing on the President’s plans, and guess what? There was unanimous support from everyone in the room.

Rotimi continued, "It wasn’t just about hearing what the President had to say. It was about understanding the gravity of the situation and agreeing on the best path forward. And let me tell you, the President's intentions were clear, and the response from everyone involved was nothing short of supportive."

Next Steps: The Legislative Process

But the story doesn’t end there. Rotimi also mentioned that President Tinubu has formally written to the House of Representatives, officially informing them of his decision. This letter, which seeks approval in line with Section 305 of the Constitution, will be read during the plenary session on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. After that, the lawmakers will dive into further discussions and debates to decide the next legislative steps.

Rotimi concluded, "The President's letter is more than just a formality; it's a crucial part of the democratic process. We’re ensuring that every ‘t’ is crossed and every ‘i’ is dotted. The people deserve nothing less, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering."