Senator Seriake Dickson has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, arguing that the decision is unjustified and undermines democracy.
Speaking on PrimeTime with Arise TV, the former Bayelsa governor described the move as both shocking and misguided.
“As a firm believer in democracy, I was taken aback when the president’s proclamation was announced, and I immediately issued a statement denouncing it,” he said.
Dickson acknowledged the political tensions in Rivers State but maintained that they did not justify such an extreme measure. He also emphasized that declaring a state of emergency does not necessitate the suspension of the governor, deputy governor, or state lawmakers.
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“I have been engaging stakeholders to ensure that this situation is not wrongly perceived as an ethnic conflict between the Ikwere and Ijaw people. It must be recognized for what it truly is—a political crisis,” he cautioned.
Expressing concerns over the level of consultation before the declaration, Dickson argued that the decision contradicts the principles of constitutional democracy.
“The President is well aware of the key figures involved, yet his approach seems inadequate. Suspending elected officials in a democratic system is comparable to setting off a constitutional crisis,” he asserted.
While acknowledging that Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution provides for a state of emergency, he questioned whether the legal criteria had been properly met.
“Even if the conditions were satisfied, it does not automatically justify the removal of the governor or legislators,” Dickson concluded.
