Rivers Lawmakers Warn Dickson to Steer Clear of State Affairs

Gloria Essien, Abuja

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 The Rivers State National Assembly Caucus has warned a Bayelsa State Senator Seriake Dickson following a Press Briefing on the Emergency Rule in Rivers State to stay away from the states affairs.

The caucus spoke through the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Kingsley Chinda, at a press briefing in Abuja.

“As members of the rivers state Caucus in the National Assembly, we watched with utter dismay, the vituperations of Senator Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa West Senatorial District in his Press briefing, wherein he expressed his anger at the Emergency rule in Rivers State and chided the President for not using his June 12 address before the National Assembly to restore suspended governor Siminilayi Fubara to office.

“Let it be categorically stated that Rivers State is not under military rule. The current Administrator of the State, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ibas, is a retired military officer, just as Senator Dickson is a retired police corporal.

Both cannot be said to 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 Rivers State was a necessary constitutional intervention aimed at preserving peace, protecting lives, and restoring institutional order.

This decision was not taken lightly; it was prompted by the rising tide of political instability, executive rascality, and disregard for democratic institutions, which position was affirmed by the supreme court judgement of February 28th 2025, wherein the Court said that there was no Government in Rivers state”. Mr. Chinda said.

He noted that 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.

“That bold step averted a full-blown crisis. Without that timely intervention, orchestrated chaos would have overwhelmed the mechanisms of governance and civil society.

” The state of emergency declared in Rivers State is not a breach of the Constitution. Rather, it is a legitimate tool provided in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to restore sanity when democratic structures are under serious threat.

” In fact, only recently, the suspended governor Siminilayi Fubara publicly thanked Mr. President for saving the day when he declared the state of Emergency in Rivers state. Therefore, Senator Dickson cannot be crying 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 Rivers state, especially when its citizens are on a peace path”. He said.

He pointed out that with the antecedents of Senator Dickson, he is not qualified, grossly incompetent and unfit to claim to protect democracy.

Consequently, the Caucus cautions Senator Henry Seriake Dickson to steer clear from further incitement of Rivers People. We therefore call on security agencies to put a tab on him as well as the senate committee on ethics to commence investigations into the unparliamentary actions of Senator Dickson in Rivers state”, he added.

Also speaking at the press conference, Senator…..SEN. Allwell Onyesoh, said that he joins in condemning the action of senator Dickson.

He urged senator Dickson to channel his activism to his home state of Bayelsa where it is most needed.

Members of the caucus include,

Sen. Barry Mpigi

SEN. Allwell Onyesoh

Mr. Kingsley Chinda

Mr. Dumnamene Dekor

Mr. Solomon Bob

Mr. Felix Nwaeke

Mr. Kelechi Nwogu

Mr. Cyril Hart Godwin

Mr. Blessing Chigeru Amadi

Mr. Victor Obuzor

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