In a dramatic show of dissent, Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, has revealed that he led a walkout from the Senate on March 20, just before lawmakers gave their approval to President Bola Tinubu’s emergency rule request in Rivers State.
The approval, granted via a voice vote, has sparked controversy, as it bypassed the constitutionally mandated two-thirds majority typically required for such significant measures.
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, condemned the move, labeling it unconstitutional. His remarks came in the wake of the Senate’s decision to approve the emergency rule, which some critics believe undermines democratic processes.
In an exclusive statement, Dickson emphasized that the approval process was flawed and expressed his opposition to what he considered an abuse of legislative procedure. He accused his colleagues of disregarding constitutional requirements in their rush to pass the measure, claiming the Senate had failed to properly adhere to the constitutional framework.
Senators Aminu Tambuwal and Enyinnaya Abaribe also expressed their dissatisfaction with the resolution, joining Dickson in protest by leaving the Senate chamber in solidarity with his stance.
“Today at the sitting of the Senate, the issue of the President’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State came up for discussion and as I have stated repeatedly, I raised my objections in the closed session on how the declaration fell short of constitutional prescription, based on my view as a Democrat, sworn to uphold the Nigerian constitution,” he wrote in a statement.
“The Senate did not undertake the debate in an open session however, it was quite robust.
“I want to thank Sen. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for his strong support of the unconstitutionality of the declaration, especially the aspect that deals with the suspension of the elected officials of the Rivers State government.
“At the end of the day, majority of the senators supported the proclamation as no room was given for an open debate at plenary.
“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. I believe Senator Tambuwal, Senator Abaribe and others equally left too.
“I want to make it clear that as I stated repeatedly, I spoke and voted against the proclamation in our closed session, supported by Senator Aminu Tambuwal and a few other senators who were not recognised to speak.
“And so I want to thank all the senators who shared the view that I vigorously canvassed.
“As I said on the floor, the senate president was very unfair to me by trying to censor my freedom of expression and by deliberately misrepresenting the import of what I said in the broadcast yesterday which was the same thing I said on the floor today,” he said.
“It is my opposition in principle to the declaration of a state of emergency, as well as the suspension of elected officials.
Read Also: Rivers crisis: Senate fails to approve emergency declaration, adjourns till Thursday
“The Senate as I said is a meeting of equals and everyone should be respected just as we accord respect to the Chair.
“No senator needs the permission of the senate president to express an opinion in an interview on a topical matter of national interest that is in the public domain.
“I intend to meet the Senate President to formally express my displeasure, to prevent a reoccurrence.
“I thank my constituents, Nigerians and all people of goodwill who have called to express solidarity and urge them not to be dismayed at the direction our democracy appears to have taken.
“For someone like me who has been in trenches over the years, all these challenges are actually a call to duty and I therefore implore all people of goodwill to come together and ensure that participatory democracy is promoted in our country.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Rivers State”.
