Audu Ogbeh Criticizes National Assembly's Voice Vote On Rivers State Emergency Rule

Audu Ogbeh Takes a Stand Against Voice Voting in National Assembly

Listen up, folks. Nigeria’s former Agriculture Minister, Audu Ogbeh, isn’t holding back when it comes to his thoughts on the National Assembly's recent decision to approve President Bola Tinubu’s emergency rule proclamation for Rivers State using a voice vote. In case you’re not familiar with the term, a voice vote, also known as "ayes and nays," is when lawmakers verbally cast their votes without a formal roll call. Ogbeh is far from impressed with this method, and he made sure to voice his concerns loud and clear during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today program.

Why Ogbeh Believes Voice Voting Falls Short

Let me break it down for you. Ogbeh argued that the "ayes and nays" method doesn’t give us a true picture of where individual lawmakers stand. It’s like hiding behind a veil of ambiguity. He said, “Nobody should hide under a shadow – if you want a vote, say so; if you don’t want it, say so, but this ayes and nays is a camouflage, it doesn’t work.” You can almost hear the passion in his voice as he stresses the importance of transparency and accountability in our democracy. At 77 years old, Ogbeh knows a thing or two about governance, and he’s not afraid to speak his mind.

A Lesson from Ogbeh's Past Experience

Now, let’s rewind to Ogbeh's time as the deputy speaker of the House of Assembly in Benue State from 1979 to 1982. Back then, they had a different approach—they implemented individual voting for crucial bills and motions. This system allowed for a much clearer understanding of each lawmaker’s stance. According to Naija News, Ogbeh believes the National Assembly should take a page out of this playbook and consider adopting a similar system to ensure greater transparency in future votes. After all, transparency builds trust, and trust is the backbone of any successful democracy.

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Technology: The Key to Transparent Voting

Ogbeh, who served as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party from 2001 to 2005, went a step further by suggesting that the National Assembly explore technological tools for individual voting. He explained, “When the matter came before the National Assembly for voting, I would like to suggest to the National Assembly to install a capacity in the future for individual voting which they can print out; not ayes and nays, because someday, 10 to 20 years from now, their children and grandchildren and researchers would like to find out how individuals voted on particular bills.” This is forward-thinking stuff, folks. By embracing technology, we can create a more transparent and accountable voting system for the future.

Ogbeh Opposes Emergency Rule in Rivers State

But that’s not all. Ogbeh also weighed in on the state of emergency in Rivers State, and he’s not on board with the imposition of federal rule. He believes President Tinubu should have called on respected Nigerians to mediate the ongoing political crisis instead. His reasoning? Rivers State is too important to let it spiral out of control. He emphasized, “Rivers State is bigger than any individual. We as a country and as countrymen are not interested in watching a situation where Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta will go up in flames.” Peace, folks. That’s what we’re all after.

The Niger Delta: A Pillar of Nigeria’s Economy

Ogbeh didn’t stop there. He reminded everyone of the crucial role the Niger Delta has played in sustaining Nigeria’s economy over the past 40 years. He said, “Nigeria has lived off the Niger Delta for 40 years. We appreciate what they have done for Nigeria because their oil has been fuelling our expenditure. Nobody wants a crisis in the Niger Delta.” It’s a powerful statement that underscores the importance of maintaining stability in this vital region. Let’s hope his words resonate with those in power and lead to meaningful action.