State of Emergency in Rivers: Senator Dickson Blasts Tinubu's Move, Calls It Unconstitutional

Former Governor of Bayelsa State and serving Senator, Henry Seriake Dickson, has vehemently condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Expressing his shock and disapproval, Dickson described the move as a grave violation of democratic principles, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent that could be exploited to unseat elected governments at will.

In a strongly worded statement, Senator Dickson rejected the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy under the guise of emergency rule, stressing that the Nigerian Constitution does not support such an action.

"I Have Always Opposed Emergency Rule That Removes Elected Governors" - Dickson

According to the senator, while he acknowledges the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State, he firmly stands against emergency declarations that oust democratically elected officials. He recalled his long-standing stance on similar issues, even when his own party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was in power.

"I do not support the declaration of a state of emergency, especially when it means that the Governor and his Deputy will vacate their seats for six months. I don't believe that is the intendment of the constitution,ÔÇØ he stated.

Dickson further asserted that even in an emergency situation, the elected government must remain intact, emphasizing that removing them contradicts constitutional provisions and weakens democratic governance.

"A Sad Day for Rivers State, a Sad Day for Democracy!"

Describing the current situation as a dark moment in Nigeria's democracy, Senator Dickson urged Rivers people and all Nigerians to rise in defense of democracy. He called on lawmakers, civil society, and the judiciary to reject what he termed an "unconstitutional encroachmentÔÇØ on Rivers State's political stability.

"It is a sad day for all democrats. It's a sad day for Rivers State, and a sad day for our people. I urge everyone to put on their thinking caps. We will get over this together,ÔÇØ he assured.

With mounting tensions over the state of emergency, all eyes are now on the National Assembly, which is expected to either ratify or reject the declaration. Will the lawmakers defend constitutional democracy or bow to executive pressure?

READ FULL MESSAGE:

This evening, like all Nigerians, I was jolted by the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

While we are all aware of the prolonged political disputes in the state, I do not support the declaration of a state of emergency, especially when that is taken to mean that the Governor and his Deputy will vacate their seats for six months. I don't believe that is the intendment of the constitution, and that has been my position on matters like this even when we had a PDP President. I have always opposed declarations of emergency in states that meant that their governors would vacate their offices, and this is no exception. I have always had the view that even with the declaration of a state of emergency in a state, the elected government must be protected and need not be removed.

I have spent all my adult life fighting and defending our people, even when leaders, out of envy and wickedness, sponsor propaganda and misinformation. When I was leaving as governor, and because I knew the anti-democratic and anti-Ijaw forces in our region and in the country, having fought and defeated them, knowing their strengths, strategies and their determination, I brought in a successor. He did not tell me he wanted to be a governor.

I brought him in to lead and protect our people with our support, because he was part of the Ijaw movement.

While managing a recession for six years during my 8-year tenure, I worked and made a mark in all sectors of our State. We raised and maintained countless number of people - men, women and youths, with less than N500 million monthly after paying half salaries in a recession. We still stopped the brutal federal forces from taking over the state in 2015, 2019 general elections, and 2020 governorship election where I sponsored all candidates with the support of our friends and allies.

Is this what has become of the Ijaw nation that we all staked everything to build?

It is a sad day for all democrats. It's a sad day for Rivers State, and a sad day for our people. I urge everyone to put on their thinking caps. I urge our people to lift up their spirits as we will get over this together.

- Senator Henry Seriake Dickson

https://youtu.be/mPxxwc0iZNw