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Tambuwal, Abaribe Joined Me to Oppose Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration – Dickson
By Eric Elezuo
The senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Seriake Dickson, has named Senators Aminu Tambuwal and Enyinnaya Abaribe among a few others, who stood with him to oppose the unconstitutionality of the suspension of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the members of the House of Assembly.
The senator, in a statement, also revealed the reasons he walked out of the red chamber on Thursday following a heated argument regarding the approval of the State of Emergency in Rivers State.
In the statement, Dickson, who already told as many that cares to listen before the sitting that he will never support the emergency rule on the floor of the senate, met a brick wall in the visibly angry senate president, Godswill Akpabio, who he claimed tried to deny him his freedom to express himself, resulting in the heated argument that ensued.
The senator noted that when it was obvious that the red chamber was bent on validating the President’s emergency rule, he staged a walkout from the senate, saying he wouldn’t want to be present when the report of what he opposed is read.
Dickson’s detailed analysis of what transpired is presented below:
SENATOR SERIAKE DICKSON GIVES DETAILED UPDATE ON WHAT TRANSPIRED TODAY
Today at the sitting of the Senate, the issue of the President’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State came up for discussion and as I have stated repeatedly, I raised my objections in the closed session on how the declaration fell short of constitutional prescription, based on my view as a Democrat, sworn to uphold the Nigerian constitution.
The Senate did not undertake the debate in an open session however, it was quite robust. I want to thank Sen. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for his strong support of the unconstitutionality of the declaration, especially the aspect that deals with the suspension of the elected officials of the Rivers State government.
At the end of the day, majority of the senators supported the proclamation as no room was given for an open debate at plenary. I left the plenary before the Senate President was directed to report the outcome because I didn’t want to be present while what I opposed is being reported. I believe Senator Tambuwal, Senator Abaribe and others equally left too.
I want to make it clear that as I stated repeatedly, I spoke and voted against the proclamation in our closed session, supported by Senator Aminu Tambuwal and a few other senators who were not recognized to speak.
And so I want to thank all the senators who shared the view that I vigorously canvassed.
I am however aware of the efforts made to modify the declaration as a result of the concerns and views we have expressed and canvassed the past few days. 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.
My attention has also been drawn to a viral video showing parts of the unfortunate exchanges between the Senate President and I before we desolved to the closed session.
As I said on the floor, the Senate President was very unfair to me by trying to censor my freedom of expression and by deliberately misrepresenting the import of what I said in the broadcast yesterday which was the same thing I said on the floor today. It is my opposition in principle to the declaration of a state of emergency, as well as the suspension of elected officials.
I thank all those who have called to commend my composure under unnecessary and unexpected attempt at intimidation. Everyone, including the Senate President, knows I have long gone beyond that stage in my life.
The Senate as I said is a meeting of equals and everyone should be respected just as we accord respect to the Chair. No senator needs the permission of the senate president to express an opinion in an interview on a topical matter of national interest that is in the public domain.
I intend to meet the Senate President to formally express my displeasure, to prevent a reoccurrence.
I thank my constituents, Nigerians and all people of goodwill who have called to express solidarity and urge them not to be dismayed at the direction our democracy appears to have taken.
For someone like me who has been in trenches over the years, all these challenges are actually a call to duty and I therefore implore all people of goodwill to come together and ensure that participatory democracy is promoted in our country.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Rivers State.”
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, declared a state of emergency in Rivers, sacking all elected officers, and appointing a Sole Administrator, in the person retired former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, for an initial period of six months.
Former Minister of Interior and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has predicted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be defeated in the 2027 General Elections based on the analysis he has done.
The former governor of Osun State and one of the key players of the African Democratic Congress ADC spoke yesterday in Ilorin after the commissioning of the party’s state secretariat.
He stated, “If the APC is truly confident in its strength, it wouldn’t need to aggressively hunt down the opposition. Their actions across Nigeria suggest otherwise, as they are intimidating our members everywhere, from Lagos to Kebbi to Kaduna.
“How can we interpret what APC is doing all over Nigeria to us? They are harassing and intimidating everyone of our members, not just our leaders but nationwide, be it Lagos, Kebbi, Kaduna.
“If they genuinely believe in their popularity, they would remain calm, but the opposite is true. They know they are not well-liked, and the ADC will benefit from this unpopularity.
By the grace of God, the ADC will take over leadership in Nigeria and many states.” He also claimed, “The governors joining the APC are known enemies of the people, and their presence is unwanted.”
The former Interior Minister also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of being intolerant of opposition voices and using state power to silence dissent.
Aregbesola said the APC had failed Nigerians through greed and incompetence, which, according to him, had plunged the country into hunger, insecurity, and infrastructural collapse.
“Under the current administration, hunger has taken over the land. Governance has been reduced to personal enrichment and political intimidation. Nigerians are suffering because of the failure of leadership at all levels under the APC,” he said.
He alleged that the ruling party had become oppressive towards opposition figures, describing its conduct as undemocratic.
He described the ADC as a “party of conscience and service,” saying it represented the only credible alternative for Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Also speaking, the immediate past governor of Kwara State, who dumped PDP to join ADC, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, said that his party is prepared to take over mantle of leadership in the country.
“This is the beginning of a new direction in our political experience. The ADC is poised to entrench a party that reflects the true aspirations of Kwarans,” Ahmed said.
On his part, the ADC National Publicity Secretary and former Minister of Youth and Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the Peoples Democratic Party as a “dead party awaiting its obituary,” insisting that only the ADC now stands as a viable opposition to the APC.
He said, “The question is no longer whether Kwarans want the APC; that question has been answered. They don’t. The question now is whether we can convince them that ADC is the only alternative and that’s exactly what we’ll do in the coming elections.”
Abdullahi also lamented rising insecurity across Kwara communities, saying the menace had crippled farming and disrupted rural livelihoods.
“Our people can no longer farm safely. The government must do more to restore peace and ensure that the lives of citizens are protected,” he said.
The Senate, on Thursday, approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The confirmation of Amupitan followed a screening session by lawmakers in the Senate Chamber during a Committee of the Whole.
Lawmakers asked many questions during the session, which Amupitan responded to.
After the screening exercise, the nominee was permitted to take a bow and exited the Senate chambers with a promise that the decision of the lawmakers would be conveyed to him.
After the exit of the INEC Chairman-designate and entourage, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion to restore all floor privileges earlier suspended.
The motion was seconded by the Minority Leader and approved by the lawmakers when it was put to voice vote.
Thereafter, Senate President Akpabio approved nomination of Amupitan for appointment as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when it was put to voice vote.
“The nomination of Joash Ojo Amupitan for appointment as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission is hereby confirmed,” Akpabio said.
During the screening session, Amupitan promised: “No voter will be left behind,” adding: “We will invest in logistics and technology — and where necessary, deploy drones with adequate safeguards — to ensure election materials and personnel reach every part of Nigeria safely and on time.”
Amupitan, a Professor of Law and former university administrator, said he is determined to modernise operational framework to ensure inclusivity and efficiency.
He assured lawmakers that his administration would work closely with the Joint Committee on Election Security to address threats that hinder smooth electoral operations, particularly in hard-to-reach or conflict-prone areas.
Beyond technology, Amupitan emphasised voter and civic education as the cornerstone of credible elections. He said INEC under his watch would embark on an extensive national enlightenment campaign to improve understanding of democratic processes among citizens.
“We will embark on aggressive civic and voter education across the country,” he said. “INEC will build the capacity not only of its staff but also of all election stakeholders — including political parties, their members, civil society organisations, and the electorate.”
He said the Commission would perform this role as mandated by Section 2 of the Electoral Act, which assigns INEC the responsibility of educating citizens on electoral procedures and democracy.
According to him, strengthening stakeholder knowledge would help reduce election-day irregularities and foster citizens’ confidence in the process.
“When people understand the process, they are less likely to be manipulated or discouraged. Our goal is to build an informed electorate that participates fully and freely,” he noted.
Amupitan also reaffirmed his commitment to transparency, integrity, and accountability, adding that INEC would strictly comply with existing financial and procurement laws to ensure judicious use of public funds.
“We will enforce all financial laws to the letter,” he said. “Every kobo released to the Commission will be used for the purpose for which it is appropriated.”
Kenyan opposition leader, Raila Odinga, has died at the age of 80 during a health visit to India, local police said Wednesday — a political earthquake that could transform politics in the East African nation.
Odinga was the perennial opposition figure of Kenyan politics, running unsuccessfully for the presidency on five occasions, most recently in 2022.
He remained a dominant force, able to rally huge numbers, particularly from his native western Kenya.
Indian police told AFP he was walking with his sister, daughter, and a personal doctor “when he suddenly collapsed”.
“An Indian police security officer and a Kenyan security officer were also with them at the time. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, but was declared dead,” the police source said.
Odinga’s death was also confirmed to AFP by a member of his political team, but they requested anonymity while awaiting an official announcement from the party.
Born on January 7, 1945, Odinga spent his early years in politics either in jail or in exile, fighting for democracy during the autocratic rule of President Daniel arap Moi.
A member of the Luo tribe, he entered parliament in 1992 and ran unsuccessfully for the presidency in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022, claiming to have been cheated of victory in the last four elections.
He cast himself as an anti-establishment firebrand despite belonging to one of Kenya’s top political dynasties — his father serving as the country’s first vice president after independence in 1963.
His death leaves a leadership vacuum within the opposition, and it is far from clear if anyone will have the same ability to mobilise opposition forces as the country heads into a potentially volatile campaign period ahead of elections in 2027.
Kenya’s former chief justice, and current presidential candidate, David Maraga, said he was “shocked” by news of the death.
Odinga was “a patriot, a pan-Africanist, a democrat and a leader who made significant contributions to democracy in Kenya and in Africa,” Maraga wrote on X.
“Kenya has lost one of its most formidable leaders who shaped the trajectory of our beloved country. Africa has lost a leading voice in pushing for peace, security, and development. The world has lost a great leader,” he added.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was among the first to react, posting on X:
“On behalf of the Government of Ethiopia, I extend my sincere condolences on the passing of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. May he Rest In Peace.”
A spokesman for the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre in Kerala, India, also confirmed the death.
“He experienced some breathing difficulties and collapsed. He was provided CPR on the spot, and having seen some sign of recovery, he was rushed to the nearest modern hospital. Despite repeated efforts by the medics, his condition deteriorated and the doctors were unable to save him,” the spokesman said.
AFP
