Senate President and former Akwa-Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio and Senator and former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson were involved in a heated altercation over the application of Senate rules regarding the state of emergency in Rivers State.
During the Senate’s plenary session, the presiding officer Michael Bamidele Opeyemi proposed a motion to re-order the day’s agenda, prioritizing the debate on the state of emergency over other scheduled legislative matters
As Bamidele stood in an attempt to highlight the relevant order, Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District and former governor of Bayelsa State, raised a point of order. However, Senate President Akpabio was initially reluctant to acknowledge it
Following this, Akpabio annoyed, reminded senator Seriake Dickson in a rather sarcastic manner of his television statement where he stated that he would not support the senate’s stand on the emergency rule declaration in Rivers state, despite Dickson’s attempt to get Akpabio’s attention through a point of order.
Akpabio said “Senator Seriake Dickson, let’s not argue, if we argue it won’t be good for any of us.
“We are all distinguished people, you were a former governor, I was a former governor. Please turn off your mic and sit down. I watched you on television. You said, whatever the Senate does, the Senate will never go with you.
“I said you said whatever the Senate does, the Senate will never have your vote.
“I don’t know but if you have already made up your mind to go on television when the Senate has not done anything or considered any issue, I am not arguing with you, but I say, please allow me to preside.
Responding to this, Dickson said “Mr. Senate President, you know we must have mutual respect for all our colleagues, and I do have regard for you, particularly, as our presiding officer and I think that should be reciprocal.”
Senator Seriake Dickson went ahead to state that the point of order he initially raised was an attempt to draw the attention of the presiding officer and other members of the senate to the provision on the necessity to first hold a closed-door meeting.
However, the leader immediately moved for a motion to go into a closed-door session which was seconded by Senator Abba Moro.
Watch video here: https://youtu.be/SkkI-HOuiy8?si=k3XiHUyBtGdmbPQj
Following this, Senator Dickson took to his Facebook page to express his displeasure over the incident stating that Akpabio was unfair to him and tried to keep him quiet. He further explained why he left the premises stating that the senate’s approval of the emergency rule was unconstitutional.
“Today 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 view 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, 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 is being reported. I believe Senator Tambuwal, Senator Abaribe and others equally left too.
“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 recognised to speak. And so I want to thank all the senators who shared the view that I vigorously canvassed.
“I am however aware of the efforts made to modify the declaration as a result of the concerns and views we have expressed and canvassed the past few days. Though I acknowledge the effort being made by the leadership and President to moderate the terms of the declaration and to create a mechanism for oversight, theoretically this does not counter the primary issue of constitutionality,” he stated.
“My attention has also been drawn to a viral video showing parts of the unfortunate exchanges between the Senate President and I before we dissolved to the closed session.
“As I said on the floor, the senate president was very unfair to me by trying to censor my freedom of expression and by deliberately misrepresenting the import of what I said in the broadcast yesterday which was the same thing I said on the floor today. It is my opposition in principle to the declaration of a state of emergency, as well as the suspension of elected officials “
“I thank all those who have called to commend my composure under unnecessary and unexpected attempt at intimidation. Everyone, including the Senate President, knows I have long gone beyond that stage in my life.
“The Senate as I said is a meeting of equals and everyone should be respected just as we accord respect to the Chair. No senator needs the permission of the senate president to express an opinion in an interview on a topical matter of national interest that is in the public domain.
“I intend to meet the Senate President to formally express my displeasure, to prevent a reoccurrence. I thank my constituents, Nigerians and all people of goodwill who have called to express solidarity and urge them not to be dismayed at the direction our democracy appears to have taken.”
For someone like me who has been in trenches over the years, all these challenges are actually a call to duty and I therefore implore all people of goodwill to come together and ensure that participatory democracy is promoted in our country. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Rivers State,” he said.
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