Rivers State Lawmakers Blast Senator Dickson Over Democracy Day Outburst
The Rivers State National Assembly caucus has come out strongly against Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, over his comments on President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day address.
The caucus has warned Dickson to stop meddling in the affairs of Rivers State, following his condemnation of the President’s speech at the National Assembly on Thursday.
Dickson, a former Governor of Bayelsa State, had expressed disappointment that President Tinubu failed to acknowledge what he described as a “constitutional aberration” unfolding in Rivers State.
He claimed that the President’s silence on the issue was a betrayal of the rule of law and an attempt to legitimize “unconstitutional governance” in the state.
However, the Rivers State National Assembly caucus has taken exception to Dickson’s comments, describing them as inciteful and unbecoming of a lawmaker.
The caucus leader, Kingsley Chinda, addressed a press conference at the National Assembly Complex on Friday, where he cautioned Dickson to steer clear of further incitement of the people of Rivers State.
“We are surprised that Senator Dickson, who has a security background as a former policeman, would make such utterances,” Chinda said. “We 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.”
The caucus also stated that Rivers State is not under military rule, as suggested by Dickson’s comments. “We want to assure the people of Rivers State that our state is not under military rule,” Chinda said. “We have a democratically elected government, and we will not allow anyone to undermine the democratic process in our state.”
The rift between the Rivers State National Assembly caucus and Senator Dickson is likely to escalate, with the caucus calling for an investigation into Dickson’s actions.
The development has also sparked a wider debate about the role of the federal government in state affairs, with some arguing that the President’s silence on the issue is a sign of respect for the autonomy of states.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the people of Rivers State are watching with bated breath, eager to see how the situation will be resolved. One thing is certain, however: the Democracy Day outburst by Senator Dickson has opened a Pandora’s box, and the consequences of his actions will be far-reaching.
The development has sparked reactions from stakeholders, with some supporting the Rivers State National Assembly caucus and others backing Senator Dickson. A civil society organization, the Rivers State Democratic Forum, has condemned Dickson’s comments, describing them as “unwarranted and inciteful.”
“We support the Rivers State National Assembly caucus in their call for Senator Dickson to steer clear of Rivers State affairs,” the organization said in a statement. “We will not allow anyone to undermine the democratic process in our state.”
On the other hand, a group of lawmakers from the opposition party has come out in support of Senator Dickson, describing his comments as “courageous and timely.” “We commend Senator Dickson for speaking out against the attempts to undermine the democratic process in Rivers State,” the group said in a statement. “We will continue to support him in his efforts to promote democracy and good governance in our country.
