Akpabio Tried To Silence Me For Opposing Tinubu’s Emergency Rule In Rivers –Seriake Dickson
In the statement, Dickson explained that he had raised his objections during a closed session, arguing that the declaration fell short of constitutional requirements.
Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, has revealed that he led a walkout from the Senate chamber on March 20, 2025, in protest against the approval of President Bola Tinubu’s request to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The Senate approved the president’s request through a voice vote, bypassing the constitutionally mandated two-thirds majority required for such a significant decision.
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, described the Senate’s action as unconstitutional in a statement on Friday. He stated that declaring a state of emergency and suspending elected officials in Rivers State violated constitutional provisions. He was joined in his protest by other senators, including Aminu Tambuwal and Enyinnaya Abaribe, who also opposed the majority resolution.
In the statement, Dickson explained that he had raised his objections during a closed session, arguing that the declaration fell short of constitutional requirements.
He expressed gratitude to Senator Tambuwal for his strong support in challenging the legality of the declaration, particularly the aspect involving the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State.
“I left the plenary before the Senate President was directed to report the outcome because I didn’t want to be present while what I opposed is being reported,” Dickson said. “I believe Senator Tambuwal, Senator Abaribe, and others equally left too.”
Dickson acknowledged efforts by the Senate leadership and the president to modify the declaration in response to concerns raised by dissenting senators. However, he maintained that these efforts did not address the fundamental issue of constitutionality.
“The beauty of democracy is such that the minority will have their say while the majority will have their way,” he said. “I would have wished for a more robust and open debate so that all views and opinions could be openly canvassed.”
Allegations Of Censorship
Dickson also criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio for attempting to censor him during the plenary session. He accused Akpabio of being unfair and misrepresenting his statements when he tried to raise a point of order for the Senate to go into an executive session.
“The Senate President was very unfair to me by trying to censor my freedom of expression,” Dickson said. “No senator needs the permission of the Senate President to express an opinion on a topical matter of national interest.”
Dickson stated that he intends to meet with Akpabio to formally express his displeasure and prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
Call For Democratic Vigilance
Dickson urged his constituents, Nigerians, and people of goodwill not to be dismayed by the country’s current direction of democracy. He described the challenges as a call to duty and for collective efforts to promote participatory democracy in Nigeria.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Rivers State,” he added.
The Senate’s decision has sparked widespread debate, with critics questioning the legality of the emergency rule and the suspension of elected officials. The matter is expected to be challenged in the judiciary, as Dickson hinted that the ball is now in the court of other arms of government to address the constitutional concerns raised.
