Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Inibehe Effiong, has expressed his views on the National Assembly’s potential intervention in the political crisis in Rivers State. Effiong contends that the National Assembly should first focus on its own legislative functions before considering involvement in state matters.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS, Effiong emphasized that the current National Assembly must demonstrate its capability for self-governance and effective legislative action. He stated, “I don’t think this National Assembly has really exercised its functions as a National Assembly.” Effiong believes that until the National Assembly proves its seriousness and independence, there is no constitutional basis for its intervention in Rivers State.
When he was questioned if the National Assembly should intervene in the state matter, he said, “The current National Assembly should first demonstrate that it is even capable of self governing, that it is even governing itself properly, that it is even carrying out its own legislative functions properly. I think it will be burdensome for the Akpabio Senate for example that is struggling to even define what its purpose is- whether it is actually an independent institution or an appendage of the president, to now be looking into what is happening in Rivers State.
“And I say that very seriously, I don’t think this National Assembly has really exercised its functions as National Assembly. So, when they have satisfactorily discharged their own functions and have convinced Nigerians that they are a serious institution, if there is a crisis in a state, there can be cause to invite them to intervene. For now, I don’t see any constitutional basis for that whatsoever.”
Regarding the police’s takeover of access to local government secretariats in Rivers State, Effiong finds the situation contestable. He lamented the preventable degeneration of political tension in the state, emphasizing that individual interests often overshadow the welfare of the electorate. He said, “We have seen reports, we have also seen evidence that the police seems to have taken over access into secretariats of Local Government Councils in Rivers State. Is that really lawful? I think it is contestable.”
Effiong’s perspective sheds light on the delicate balance between federal and state powers, raising critical questions about constitutional roles and responsibilities. As the crisis unfolds, Nigerians closely watch how institutions navigate these complexities.
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