By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – In a dramatic turn of events at the Senate on Wednesday, Senators Seriake Dickson, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal staged a walkout after the Senate backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The heated deliberation, which took place behind closed doors, saw strong opposition from Senator Dickson and his colleagues, who argued that the declaration fell short of constitutional prescriptions, particularly regarding the suspension of elected officials in the state.
Despite the objections, the majority of senators aligned with the presidency, endorsing the emergency rule without an open debate. Displeased with the outcome, Dickson, along with Tambuwal and Abaribe, left the plenary before the Senate President delivered the final resolution.
Dickson later addressed the matter via his verified meta handle, expressing gratitude to the senators who supported his stance and highlighting the modifications made to the initial proclamation. He acknowledged efforts by the Senate leadership and the presidency to adjust the declaration, including the introduction of oversight mechanisms. However, he maintained that these modifications did not resolve the fundamental constitutional concerns surrounding the declaration.
“I appreciate the attempt to moderate the terms of the declaration, but it does not change the primary issue of constitutionality,” Dickson stated.
He also took issue with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of attempting to suppress his views during the session. Dickson emphasized that the Senate is a gathering of equals and that no lawmaker should be prevented from expressing their opinions on matters of national interest.
The senator reaffirmed his commitment to democracy, vowing to continue advocating for participatory governance. “For someone like me who has been in the trenches for years, these challenges are a call to duty,” he declared.
Meanwhile, the approval of the state of emergency by both chambers of the National Assembly has now placed the fate of Rivers State in the hands of the judiciary, should there be any legal challenge to the decision.
The Modifications:
The president can amend the period of the emergency rule but not later than six months. The Senate further resolved that Section 11 of Section 4 be invoked, providing the National Assembly the authority to set up a joint Committee of both chambers to oversight the administration of River State henceforth.
The Senate further resolved that a Committee of eminent Nigerians be set up to reconcile the warring groups within the government of River State within the period of the state of emergency in River State.
The Senate further resolved that a Committee to reconcile the warring factions in River State should consist of eminent Nigerians.
