Senator Dickson reveals Nigerian lawmakers who refused to support state of emergency in Rivers

The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has named his colleagues who kicked against the Red Chamber approving President Bola Tinubu's declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Tinubu made the proclamation during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday night, following the political crisis in the state.

The President also suspended Governor Siminlayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, for six months.

On Thursday, the Senate approved the state of emergency during a closed-door session.

The session was announced after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read a letter from Tinubu.

Seriake, in a statement on Friday, recounted what happened.

He said: “Yesterday, 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 views as a democrat sworn to uphold the Nigerian Constitution.

“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, the 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 was being reported. I believe Senator Tambuwal, Senator Abaribe, and others also left.

“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 recognized to speak.”