House of Reps seeks emergency rule in Ogun State
- Details
- Category: Politics
- Published on Friday, 15 October 2010 07:29
- Written by The Nation
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This followed the adoption of a motion by Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Ita Enang and 16 others, entitled: Inability of the Ogun State House of Assembly to perform its Constitutional duties.
The motion, which was supported by members urged the Inspector General of Police to open the House of Assembly within seven days and provide security for its members with Hon. Tunji Egbetokun as its reinstated Speaker.
It resolved that if the Inspector-General defaulted in reopening the Assembly, "the National Assembly should take over, assume and exercise all the legislative powers of Ogun House of Assembly to make laws as the legislature thereof in accordance with Section 11(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 until the House of Assembly is able to resume its functions".
The prayers were adopted without amendment.
Enang quoted Section 305 (1) of the Constitution, which gives the President the power to declare a state of emergency in any state.
Section 305 (1) states "Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the President may, by instrument published in the official gazette of the Government of the Federation, issue a proclamation of a state of emergency in the Federation of any part thereof".
He said the Assembly formally sat last on June 29 and received this year’s Supplementary Budget proposal and requested for approval of a N100 billion bond from the governor and adjourned plenary to embark on annual recess.
Enang said he was worried that the Assembly resumed on August 3 but was invaded by protesters, who disrupted the peace, which forced the Assembly to adjourn sine die.
He said a notice, which the Speaker authorised the Clerk to send to members, urged the Assembly to be reconvened by the Speaker, Tunji Egbetokun.
