According to DAILY POST, senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, has identified fellow lawmakers who opposed the Senate’s approval of President Bola Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration in Rivers State.
The proclamation was made by Tinubu during a nationwide address on Tuesday night in response to the ongoing political crisis in the state. Alongside the declaration, the president also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, for six months.
On Thursday, the Senate approved the emergency rule during a closed-door session, which was convened after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s letter to the lawmakers.
In a statement released on Friday, Senator Dickson provided insight into what transpired. He reiterated his objections, arguing that the declaration did not meet constitutional requirements.
As a firm believer in democratic principles, he emphasized his duty to uphold the nation’s constitution.
Although the debate was not held in an open session, Dickson described the discussions as intense.
He expressed gratitude to Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for strongly opposing the legality of the declaration, particularly the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State.
Ultimately, the majority of senators endorsed the proclamation, as no opportunity was provided for a public debate during plenary.
Dickson explained that he left the chamber before the Senate President presented the outcome, as he did not want to remain while a decision he opposed was being reported.
He noted that Senators Tambuwal, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and others who shared similar views also left.
“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 was being reported. I believe Senator Tambuwal, Senator Abaribe, and others also left,” he said.
Reaffirming his stance, Dickson stated that he spoke and voted against the state of emergency during the closed session, with support from Tambuwal and other senators who were not given a chance to voice their objections.