Rivers: ‘Attempt to Censor My Right of Free Speech Unfair,’ Bayelsa West Senator Dickson Responds to Clash with Akpabio

Distances Self, Others from Ratification of Tinubu’s Decision

 

 

Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West, has provided further clarification on his recent clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Senate plenary on Thursday over President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of elected officials there.

Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, said that Akpabio’s attempt to suppress and intimidate him over his opposition to the State of Emergency was unjust and unfair. The Senator emphasized his strong objection to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, and the State House of Assembly, calling the actions unconstitutional.

In a post on his Facebook page on Thursday night, Dickson gave insights into the events behind closed doors at the Senate, which led to the ratification of President Tinubu’s declaration.

He wrote: “During the Senate sitting today, the issue of the President’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State was discussed. As I have stated multiple times, I raised my objections in the closed session regarding how the declaration fell short of constitutional requirements. As a Democrat, I am sworn to uphold the Nigerian constitution.”

Dickson noted that while the debate in the closed session was vigorous, it was not held in an open session, and he thanked Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for his strong stance against the unconstitutionality of the declaration, especially the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State.

“Ultimately, the majority of the senators supported the proclamation, as no opportunity was provided for an open debate during plenary. I chose to leave the session before the Senate President was directed to report the outcome because I did not want to be present when something I opposed was being reported. I believe Senator Tambuwal, Senator Abaribe, and others did the same,” he explained.

Dickson clarified that in the closed session, he spoke and voted against the proclamation, with support from Tambuwal and a few other senators who were not permitted to speak. “I want to thank all the senators who shared the same view that I vigorously presented,” he added.

The Senator acknowledged the efforts being made to modify the declaration and create a mechanism for oversight. However, he emphasized that the constitutional issue remained at the core of the matter. “The beauty of democracy is that the minority has the right to speak, while the majority will have their way. I would have preferred a more open and robust debate so that all opinions could be expressed, but as it stands, both chambers have made their decision, and the ball is now in the hands of other arms of government, especially the judiciary, if there is any challenge.”

He also addressed the viral video showing part of the exchange between himself and Senate President Akpabio before the closed session. Dickson criticized Akpabio for trying to censor his freedom of expression and for misrepresenting his statements. “It is my opposition, in principle, to the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of elected officials that I stood for,” he reiterated.

Dickson expressed gratitude to those who praised his composure under what he described as an attempt at intimidation. He stated that no senator should need permission from the Senate President to express their opinion on matters of national interest in the public domain.

“I intend to meet with the Senate President to formally express my displeasure, to prevent any recurrence of this situation,” he added.

Finally, Dickson thanked his constituents, Nigerians, and others who have expressed solidarity, encouraging them not to be discouraged by the direction the country’s democracy appears to be taking. “For someone like me who has been in the trenches for years, these challenges are a call to duty. I urge all people of goodwill to come together and ensure that participatory democracy is promoted in our country,” he concluded.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Rivers State,” Senator Dickson stated.