Former Senator Shehu Sani has taken a swipe at lawmakers who voiced their concerns in the media over the use of voice voting in confirming a State of Emergency in Rivers State.
Sani argued that any legislator dissatisfied with the process should have raised their objections during the National Assembly session rather than addressing them outside the chamber.
The controversy arose after President Bola Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers, prompting a vote by federal lawmakers.
Instead of conducting a head count to verify quorum, the leadership of both chambers opted for voice voting, a decision that drew criticism from various political figures, including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Senator Ireti Kingibe was among those who denounced the process.
Responding to the backlash, Sani stressed that objections should be made on the legislative floor, not in the media.
In a post on X, he wrote, “If any lawmaker had issues with voice votes or quorum, he or she is supposed to raise a point of order on the floor and insist on being heard; and not be silent in the chamber then come to the media to raise objections.”
He further stated that if there was no quorum, it was because some lawmakers deliberately chose not to participate.