The Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi, has stated that the National Assembly was duly consulted by President Bola Tinubu before his declaration on the Rivers crisis.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, Rotimi revealed that the leadership of the National Assembly, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Senate Leader Senator Michael Bamidele, and House Leader Rep. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, met with the President and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu prior to the broadcast.
He said: “In response to multiple inquiries, I can confirm that the National Assembly was duly consulted by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in reaching this decision.
“The leadership of the National Assembly including the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, and the House Leader, Rep. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, met with the President and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, ahead of the broadcast.
“Also in attendance were key security officials, 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, they were fully briefed on Mr. President’s intentions, and all present unanimously expressed their support.
“Furthermore, Mr. President’s formal letter, informing the House of Representatives of his decision and seeking approval in line with Section 305 of the Constitution, has been transmitted and will be read during plenary tomorrow, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, and further legislative action debated and decided.”
