Rivers State Caucus in the National Assembly say that the state is not under military rule as alleged by Senator Seriake Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West Senatorial District.
The Caucus’s position followed Senator Dickson’s reaction to President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide address on Democracy Day, in which he expressed displeasure over the failure of the President to restore a democratically elected government in the oil-producing state, over three months after the declaration of emergency rule.
The Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, who spoke on behalf of the Caucus during a press briefing held in Abuja, accused the former Bayelsa State Governor of instigating a crisis in the state.
While arguing that Senator Dickson is grossly incompetent and unfit to claim to protect democracy, Hon. Chinda accused him of desecrating the judiciary when he led thugs and armed men to disperse and disrupt proceedings at a Federal High Court in the state while serving as Governor.
“We are members of the Rivers State Caucus in the National Assembly, which includes Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, and we have found it necessary to speak to Nigerians on incidents that occurred very recently. So, you have this emergency press briefing by the Rivers State National Assembly Caucus to condemn Senator Seriake Dickson’s unwarranted comments on Rivers State’s emergency rule”. He stated.
“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 of the Federal Republic for not using his June 12 address before the National Assembly to restore suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara to office.
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“Let it be categorically stated that Rivers 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 can be serving as 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.
“Recall, too, that the retired Corporal Dickson, as a serving Governor of Bayelsa State, desecrated the judiciary when he led thugs and armed men to disperse and disrupt proceedings of a Federal High Court. With the antecedents of Senator Dickson, 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 cautions Senator Seriake Dickson. The Rivers State Caucus unequivocally and clearly sends a warning to Senator Seriake Dickson to stay clear of inciting Rivers people into any form of violence or attempting to cause any breakdown of law and order in our state.
“He is from Bayelsa State. If he wants to cause problems or a crisis anywhere, let him go back to his home state and do so. We also call on the security agencies to put a tab on him and his actions, which are likely and capable of causing a breach of the peace, particularly now that the state is working towards restoring peace among our citizens.
“We also call on the Senate Committee on Ethics to commence an investigation into the unparliamentary actions of Senator Seriake Dickson. As a Caucus, we will stand firm to follow up on this and ensure that this condemnable attitude of Senator Seriake Dickson is completely addressed.”
Also speaking, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, who warned Senator Dickson to steer clear of Rivers State politics, urged him to channel his energy towards improving infrastructure in Bayelsa.
He said: “First, I want to tell you that I absolutely align with what the leader of our Caucus, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, has just told you. It’s our collective view, and we all agree with it.
“But fortunately, I’m in the same chamber in the Senate with Senator Seriake Dickson. And I know that those of us from the Niger Delta have the utmost duty—our people have the utmost duty—to make meaningful contributions. I’m equally aware that Bayelsa State, especially Bayelsa West, needs a lot of this activity to bring the dividends of democracy to them.
“I want to tell you that these things are lacking. The appointments you see in Bayelsa today are the appointments they secured through their relationship with Rivers State. I’m not too sure that my colleague has attracted anyone to his state—none.
“I am also aware that one of the most backwards 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 Dickson, that we should kill negative energy in our politics in the Niger Delta.”
Other members of the Caucus are: Senator Barry Mpigi, Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, Hon. Solomon Bob, Hon. Felix Nwaeke, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu, Hon. Cyril Hart Godwin, Hon. Blessing Chigeru Amadi, and Hon. Victor Buzzer.
