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Democracy

Rivers State Caucus Denounces Senator Dickson's Criticism, Defends Emergency Rule

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Rivers State Caucus in the National Assembly has countered Senator Seriake Dickson's claims that the state is under military rule, affirming that the current administration is a legitimate civilian government. The Caucus stressed that the declaration of emergency rule in the state was a necessary constitutional intervention to preserve peace, protect lives, and restore institutional order. The members of the Caucus, including Senator Allwell Onyesoh and Minority Leader Hon. Kingsley Chinda, cautioned Senator Dickson to desist from inciting violence or attempting to cause a breakdown of law and order in the state.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Rivers State Caucus, comprising senators and members of the House of Representatives, has denied Senator Seriake Dickson's claims that the state is under military rule, stating that the current administration is a civilian government.
  • The Caucus emphasized that the declaration of emergency rule was a legitimate constitutional intervention aimed at preserving peace, protecting lives, and restoring institutional order in the state.
  • The members of the Caucus accused Senator Dickson of instigating crisis in the state and promoting ethnic bigotry and biases during his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State.
  • The Caucus warned Senator Dickson to stay away from causing problems or crisis in Rivers State, urging him to focus on improving infrastructure in Bayelsa State instead.
  • The Caucus called on the Senate Committee on Ethics to investigate Senator Dickson's unparliamentary actions, and for security agencies to monitor his activities.
  • The members of the Caucus stood firm in their decision to address Senator Dickson's condemnable attitude and ensure that he does not cause any further issues in the state.

Statistics:

  • Rivers State is not under military rule, as stated by the Rivers State Caucus.
  • The current Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral (Retired) Ibok-Ete Ibas, is not a serving military personnel.
  • The declaration of a state of emergency was prompted by rising political instability and executive rascality within the state.
  • The Supreme Court had ruled on February 28, 2025, that there was no government in the state as it was being operated at the time.
  • The President acted swiftly to prevent a full-blown crisis, averting orchestrated chaos that could have overwhelmed governance and civil society in the state.
  • The state of emergency declared in Rivers State is a legitimate tool in the Constitution to restore sanity when democratic structures are under threat.

Sources:

  • Statement by the Rivers State Caucus, led by Minority Leader Hon. Kingsley Chinda, in a press briefing in Abuja on the incident in Rivers State.
  • Comments by Senator Allwell Onyesoh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character, urging Senator Dickson to channel his energy towards improving infrastructure in Bayelsa State.
  • Records of Senator Dickson's tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State, which speak to his actions and decisions during that time.
  • Supreme Court judgment of February 28, 2025, affirming that there was no government in the state as it was being operated at the time.

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