The controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has deepened, as Senator Henry Dickson has openly condemned the move, calling it unconstitutional and a dangerous precedent for Nigerian democracy.
In a statement released on his X page, the former Bayelsa State governor revealed that he voiced his strong opposition during a closed Senate session, arguing that the emergency proclamation violates constitutional guidelines and amounts to an abuse of power.
“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,” Dickson stated.
The senator also accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of attempting to silence him and misrepresenting his statements, referencing a viral video capturing their tense exchange before the debate was moved behind closed doors.
“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,” he revealed, adding that he was joined by Senators Aminu Tambuwal, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and others who also opposed the move.
Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, was singled out for his strong challenge to the legality of suspending elected officials in Rivers State. Dickson praised him for speaking up against what many now view as a blatant power grab by the federal government.
While acknowledging ongoing efforts to modify the emergency rule’s terms, Dickson insisted that the fundamental issue of constitutionality remains unresolved.
He further accused the Senate leadership of attempting to stifle dissent, warning that lawmakers should not require the Senate President’s permission to speak on national issues.
“As I said on the floor, the Senate President was very unfair to me by trying to censor my freedom of expression,” Dickson stated, calling the attempt to intimidate him a direct attack on democracy.
With the Senate overwhelmingly supporting Tinubu’s proclamation, Dickson’s defiance raises critical questions about the legality of the emergency rule and whether Nigeria’s democracy is under threat from executive overreach.
