The Rivers State Caucus in the National Assembly has criticised Senator Henry Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West) for his remarks condemning President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the lawmakers dismissed claims that the state was under military rule, noting that the current administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), is no longer an active military officer just as Senator Dickson is a retired police corporal.
Speaking on behalf of the caucus, Chairman and House Minority Leader Hon. Kingsley Chinda clarified that both men are civilians by status, stressing that retirement from security services removes any military authority they once held.
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“The implication of retirement is clear: once an officer retires, he becomes a civilian, and any leadership role he occupies is subject to civilian laws, norms, and democratic oversight. To label the current administration as “military rule” is, therefore, misleading and intellectually disingenuous.
“Senator Dickson’s attempt to portray the emergency rule as military governance is not only false but intellectually dishonest.
“The current Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ibas, is a retired officer now functioning under civilian authority. Just as Senator Dickson, a retired police corporal, is no longer an active service member, Ibas too is a civilian. It is grossly inaccurate to insinuate that Rivers is under military rule.”
Chinda stressed that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State was carried out in line with the Constitution, referencing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the President the authority to act in situations that pose a threat to national security and public order.
“Even Governor Fubara himself publicly thanked President Tinubu for stepping in to avert total anarchy. It is therefore curious that Senator Dickson, an outsider to our state, has chosen to champion a false narrative and stir up tension.
“It is unfortunate that a former governor and serving senator, who should understand the responsibilities that come with leadership, is engaging in divisive rhetoric capable of igniting violence,” he noted.
 for his remarks condemning President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.){kind=link}