The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has revealed that he left plenary before the Senate could totally conclude its report that approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State
He also expressed the believe that Senator Aminu Tambuwal, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and others also left.
According to Dickson, he left because of his objection to the declaration, which he says fell short of constitutional prescription.
In a statement on Friday, Dickson said the Senate did not undertake the debate in an open session, adding that at the end, many lawmakers supoorted the declaration.
He thanked Tambuwal for his support of the unconstitutionality of the declaration, especially the aspect that deals with the suspension of the elected officials of the Rivers State government.
He lamented that Tambuwal and a few other senators were not recognised to speak when the declaration was being discussed at plenary.
“Though I acknowledge the effort being made by the leadership and President to moderate the terms of the declaration and to create a mechanism for oversight, theoretically this does not counter the primary issue of constitutionality.
“The beauty of democracy is such that the minority will have their say while the majority their way. I would have wished for a more robust and open debate so that all views and opinions can be openly canvassed as I requested even at the closed session specifically and thereafter, the majority can have their way but as it is, both chambers have decided and the ball is now on the court of the other arms of government, especially the judiciary, in the event of any challenge,” he said.
