Legislative Lawyers Want Tinubu to Declare State of Emergency On Senate

A coalition of Nigerian legislative experts has asked President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on the Senate, citing the chamber’s alleged failure to perform its constitutional duties.

According to the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP), the Senate has refused to act on 146 bills passed by the House of Representatives since 2024.

In a firm public statement signed by Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, ALDRAP urged Tinubu to invoke Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution and take immediate executive action.

The statement was titled: “Request for His Excellency Mr. President Pursuant to Section 305 to Declaration of State of Emergency Upon the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Due to Its Failure to Perform Its Function Under Section 53 of the Nigerian Constitution as Regards 146 Concurrence of Bills Emanating from the House of Representatives since 2024.”

The group, made up of over 1,000 legislative lawyers working within Nigeria’s federal and state assemblies, warned of an impending governance collapse.

“Under the circumstances, there is a threat of imminent break-down of law and order and it poses grave danger to the general public,” ALDRAP said.

They describe the situation as “legislative paralysis.” The refusal of the Senate to concur with bills from the lower chamber, according to the group, is damaging the democratic process and delaying critical legislation.

Akpabio’s Court Absence Draws Fire

ALDRAP also blames Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of abandoning his leadership role in favour of court proceedings where he is involved as both “a litigant and a prosecution witness.”

“The declaration of a State of Emergency has become an absolute necessity considering that the current President of the Senate has now abandoned his duty of presiding over plenary sessions,” the group said.

They referenced a July 4, 2025 ruling from the Federal High Court in Abuja, which reportedly cited Akpabio for violating Section 63 of the Constitution and Section 14(2) of the Legislative Houses (Powers, Privileges and Immunities) Act, 2018.

ALDRAP criticised the Senate for failing to act on the judgment by electing a President of the Senate Pro Tempore, as outlined in Order 22 of the Standing Orders of the Senate, 2023 (as amended).

“Instead of the Senators to comply with the said judgment by conducting elections… they are running the risk of committing the crime of Contempt of a Legislative House,” the statement warned.

ALDRAP has given the federal government a 48-hour ultimatum.

“TAKE NOTICE THAT IN THE EVENT THAT WE DO NOT RECEIVE A FAVOURABLE RESPONSE WITHIN 48 HOURS, WE SHALL UNDERTAKE LEGAL STEPS TO ASSERT OUR CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL RIGHTS,” the association concluded.

What are your thoughts—how do you assess Godswill Akpabio’s 10th Senate? Has it failed in its duties or succeeded? Let us know in the comments here→

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