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By Gloria Ikibah

The Rivers State Caucus in the National Assembly has strongly condemned recent comments made by Senator Henry Seriake Dickson (PDP Bayelsa West), describing his remarks on the state of emergency in Rivers State as “unwarranted,” “inciting,” and “intellectually disingenuous.”

In an emergency press briefing held in Abuja on Friday, the House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, defended the Federal Government’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, insisting the move was constitutional and necessary to avert political chaos.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that after President Bola Tinubu’s democracy day address at the Joint session with the National Assembly on Thursday June 12, 2025, Senator Dickson (PDP Bayelsa West) in a press briefing vehemently expressed his disenchantment over alleged  entrenchment of emergency rule in Rivers state by President Bola through gale of fresh appointments into vacant positions in some of the state-owned commissions.

The caucus in response to Dickson, clarified that Vice Admiral Ibko-Ete lbas is now a civilian administrator operating under democratic norms, and therefore, it was “misleading” to describe his leadership as military rule.

“As members of the River State Caucus and the National Assembly, we watched with utter dismay the vituperations of Senator Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayasa West Senatorial District in his press briefing, wherein he expressed his anger at the emergency rule in River State and chided the President of the Federal Republic for not using his June 12 address before the National Assembly to restore suspended Governor Similaye Fubara to office. Let it be categorically stated that River State is not under military rule.

“The current Administrator of the State, Vice Admiral Retired Ibok-Ete Ibas, is a retired military officer. Just as Senator Seriake Dickson is himself a retired police corporal, but a serving senator. Both of them cannot be serving personnel of the armed forces.

“The implication of retirement is clear. Once an officer retires, he becomes a civilian, and any leadership role he occupies is subject to civilian laws, norms, and democratic oversight. To label the current administration as military rule is therefore misleading and intellectually disingenuous.

“The declaration of a state of emergency in River State was a necessary constitutional intervention aimed at preserving peace, protecting lives, and restoring institutional order. The decision was not taken lightly. It was prompted by the rising tide of political instability and executive rascality within the state”, Chinda stated.

The lawmakers pointed to the Supreme Court ruling of February 28, 2025, as judicial validation of the Federal Government’s decision, citing it as evidence of the breakdown of governance in the state before the emergency rule was declared.

They further emphasised the role of President Tinubu in “swiftly and decisively” averting what they described as a “looming systemic breakdown.”

“The disregard for democratic institutions was one of the reasons why we had that declaration. This position was also affirmed by the Supreme Court judgment of February 28, 2025, wherein the Supreme Court clearly stated that there was indeed no government in the state the way it was being operated then. It is imperative to highlight that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, acted swiftly and decisively to prevent the escalation of violence and systemic breakdown that loomed over our beloved state.

“The bold step averted a full-blown crisis. Without that timely intervention, orchestrated chaos would have overwhelmed the mechanism of governance and civil society in the state. The state of emergency declared in River State is not a breach of the Constitution.

“Rather, it is a legitimate tool provided in Section 305 of our Constitution to restore sanity when democratic structures are under serious threat. It is in fact only recently the suspended Governor himself, Governor Similayi Fubara, publicly thanked Mr. President for saving the day when he declared the state of emergency in River State. Therefore, Senator Seriake Dickson, the retired police corporal, cannot cry more than the bereaved.

“It is extremely unfortunate that a former governor, a serving senator, and a retired police corporal, who by virtue of his police training is expected to maintain law and order, decided to make undemocratic utterances capable of causing a breakdown of law and order in River State, whilst indigents of the state are still on the path of seeking for peace, for us to ensure that we protect the lives of our people in the state. It is on record that Senator Dickson, in one of his numerous visits to the suspended governor, promoted ethnic bigotry and biases that misled the governor and ultimately led to his suspension. Senator Dickson is at it again.

“Recall, too, that the retired Corporal Dickson, as a serving governor of Bayelsa State, desecrated the judiciary when he led talks and armed men to disperse and disrupt proceedings of a federal high court, with the antecedent of Senator Dixon. We clearly hold that he is not qualified. He is grossly incompetent and unfit to claim to protect democracy.

“When he had the opportunity as a Chief Executive, his records are there. They speak for themselves. Consequently, the caucus cautioned Senator Seriake Dickon, the River State caucus, unequivocally and clearly sends a clear caution and warning to Senator Seriake Dickson to stay clear from inciting River’s people into any form of violence or attempting to cause any breakdown of law and order in our state”, Chinda added.

The caucus therefore called on security agencies to monitor Senator Dickson and urged the Senate Committee on Ethics to launch an investigation into what they described as his “unparliamentary actions.”

“He is from Bayessa State. If he wants to cause problem or crisis anywhere, let him go back to his home and do so. We will also call on the security agencies to put a tab on him and his actions, which are likely incapable of causing a breach of peace, particularly now that the state is working towards restoring peace amongst our citizens.

“We’ll also call on the Senate Committee on Ethics to commence investigation into the unparliamentary actions of Seriake Dickson. And as a caucus, we will stand firm to follow up on this and ensure that this attitude, condemnable attitude of Senator Seriake Dickson, is completely addressed”, he asserted.

Also in his remarks, Senator Allwell Onyeso, representing Rivers East Senatorial District, in a scathing critique of his fellow lawmaker Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, urged him to redirect his political energy toward addressing the underdevelopment of Bayelsa State instead of stoking political tensions.

Senator Onyeso emphasised the need for leaders to prioritize tangible development, particularly in regions like Bayelsa, which he described as “one of the most backward states in the country in terms of infrastructure.”

“Very fortunately, I’m in the same chamber in the Senate with Senator Seriake Dickson,” Onyeso said.

In a direct challenge to Dickson’s track record, Onyeso questioned the Bayelsa West senator’s influence and effectiveness.

Onyeso, who hails from Port Harcourt, also criticised what he described as misplaced priorities and political distraction.

“I join in appealing to my colleague, Seriake Dickson, that we should kill negative energy in our politics in Nigeria,” the senator said, calling for a shift from antagonism to constructive leadership.

“The appointments you have in Bayelsa today are the appointments that they got through their relationship with River State. I’m not too sure that my colleague has attracted anyone to his state, none. I’m also aware that one of the most backward states in the country in terms of infrastructure is Bayelsa .

“And so this energy could be channelled towards activities that will improve the infrastructural problems of Bayelsa state. So I join in appealing to my colleague, Seriake Dsckson, that we should kill negative energy in our politics in Nigeria”, he stated.

In a lighter but pointed closing remark, Onyeso took a personal jab at Dickson’s residency: “In fact, I’m his proper landlord. He doesn’t live in Bayelsa. He lives in Port Harcourt. So I’m his landlord.”