NewStats: 3,261,110 , 8,173,056 topics. Date: Wednesday, 28 May 2025 at 08:59 AM 2g1h62

DICKSON, ABARIBE, TAMBUWAL WALK OUT AS SENATE BACKS TINUBU’S RIVERS EMERGENCY

The Senate on Wednesday endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state of emergency proclamation in Rivers State, but not without fireworks, as Senators Seriake Dickson, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal stormed out in protest.

The closed-door session saw Dickson and his allies strongly opposing the emergency declaration, particularly the suspension of elected officials, which they argued was unconstitutional. Despite their objections, the Senate overwhelmingly backed the president’s move, shutting down an open debate on the matter.

Displeased over the outcome, Dickson, Tambuwal, and Abaribe exited the plenary before the Senate President could formally announce the decision.

Speaking afterward, Dickson thanked his colleagues who ed his stance and acknowledged that the presidency had made some modifications to the original declaration. He noted that while oversight mechanisms had been introduced, they did not erase the core constitutional concerns.

“I appreciate the efforts to adjust the , but it doesn’t change the fact that this proclamation lacks constitutional backing,” Dickson stated.

He also criticised the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of trying to silence his opposition. “The Senate is a meeting of equals, and no lawmaker should be censored for speaking on national issues,” he fired.

Hmm 🤔

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 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 ed 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, ed 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 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.

HSD

Make Dem go rest abeg . When the crisis between Fubara and the house was escalating,where were they all those while? ..

The truth is that,tho Tinubu's decision was kinda harsh, but it's equally the best ever........At least,by the 6 months time,the heads of both parties of wereys and that of drunkard Wike go don calm down...

Part 1
Sim used "power" to bring down the state assembly complex and unlawfully, unconstitutionally declared the seats of the lawmakers vacant and went further to seize their salaries and allowances for close to 2 years . And even after supreme court judgement refused to pay them.


Part 2
If i were Tinubu, these senators that are ing Governor Sim will be given the same treatment as the 27 lawmakers, I'd use "power" to unlawfully, unconstitutionally seize their salaries and allowancess for 16 months and declare their seats vacant and advise them to go to court, And even when they get judgement in their favour in the supreme court, I'll refuse to pay them. Then they'll will understand what evil is.

If you're ok with the part 1 of my comment but the part 2 is setting you on fire, then hmmmm, na Ogun go kee you ! Id.iot.


We want peace in Rivers state abeģ. Sim was misled by the ers of the man who takes advice from a mad man. Please let his suspension be lifted after he has learned how democracy works.

if yuu mention me to type rubbish and you don't get a reply, just know you don't deserve my time

Tinubu is a man of the people.

The constitution will always guide him.

And this part didn’t make it to the afternoon news

Campaign after election 😆😆

A good decision has been made.

The Ofurumapepe
Harcourt
Waziri

Tinubu is the president of Nigeria and he will use every constitutional means to ensure the country is governed well.

I salute the Senate for backing the president on this.

Safe journey to them

Shey na leg dem use waka? why not take uber so it can be faster

Democracy is a govt of the majority

Breaking Akpu fake news by the usual suspects. Not in the video that mua watched.

press9jatv:
DICKSON, ABARIBE, TAMBUWAL WALK OUT AS SENATE BACKS TINUBU’S RIVERS EMERGENCY

The Senate on Wednesday endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state of emergency proclamation in Rivers State, but not without fireworks, as Senators Seriake Dickson, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal stormed out in protest.

The closed-door session saw Dickson and his allies strongly opposing the emergency declaration, particularly the suspension of elected officials, which they argued was unconstitutional. Despite their objections, the Senate overwhelmingly backed the president’s move, shutting down an open debate on the matter.

Displeased over the outcome, Dickson, Tambuwal, and Abaribe exited the plenary before the Senate President could formally announce the decision.

Speaking afterward, Dickson thanked his colleagues who ed his stance and acknowledged that the presidency had made some modifications to the original declaration. He noted that while oversight mechanisms had been introduced, they did not erase the core constitutional concerns.

“I appreciate the efforts to adjust the , but it doesn’t change the fact that this proclamation lacks constitutional backing,” Dickson stated.

He also criticised the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of trying to silence his opposition. “The Senate is a meeting of equals, and no lawmaker should be censored for speaking on national issues,” he fired.

illegal state of emergency.
Nigeria is in a mess because of this istration

Sonnobax15:

Make Dem go rest abeg . When the crisis between Fubara and the house was escalating,where were they all those while? ..

The truth is that,tho Tinubu's decision was kinda harsh, but it's equally the best ever........At least,by the 6 months time,the heads of both parties of wereys and that of drunkard Wike go don calm down...

They have their own work at the Senate.

Their work is not to be going to Rivers to settle quarrel.

Why do you people talk as if you're brainless.?

yarimo:
Campaign after election 😆😆

grab it snatch it and run away with it has done it again

See ehn, state of emergency should be declared in the country and Russians should take over

These are same people who backed Natasha's suspension despite her leveling of sexual harassment against Akpabio

The senate is a mafia cult where most senators are just idling fighting for personal interests

Tinubu has inducted Akpabio and Abbass into the national hall of shame 👌

Keep ing rubbish. Just as people are saying Obj did it 20yrs later, people will be justifying their illegality that Tinubu did it 20yrs later and by then it will be Oyo or Lagos state gov that will be removed

Sonnobax15:

Make Dem go rest abeg . When the crisis between Fubara and the house was escalating,where were they all those while? ..

The truth is that,tho Tinubu's decision was kinda harsh, but it's equally the best ever........At least,by the 6 months time,the heads of both parties of wereys and that of drunkard Wike go don calm down...

Tambuwal used to be Wike's guy. They were like Aki and pawpaw

Abarebe is the only igbo senator I respect so much in that senate the man is just too intelligent and courageous.

Abaribe, my fav senator. That man is a no nonsense man.

That's really nice of them.

Sonnobax15:

Make Dem go rest abeg . When the crisis between Fubara and the house was escalating,where were they all those while? ..

The truth is that,tho Tinubu's decision was kinda harsh, but it's equally the best ever........At least,by the 6 months time,the heads of both parties of wereys and that of drunkard Wike go don calm down...

I think we should be fair in our comments.

No State governor would tolerate the state assembly challenging his authority. Same way Tinubu would not tolerate NASS challenging his authority. Federal might gave the state assembly the guts to go against the governor.

This technique will be repeated across states that refuse to fall in line with the president. Even Delta State is not safe from Tinubu's greedy paws.

Ned Nwoko is the point man to carry out this divisive plans in Delta State starting from his call to split Delta into two.

Shine your eyes.

True democrats

Akpabio and APC are a BIG SHAME.

See how they have MESSED up the Senate.

In the days of David Mark, Ken Nnamani, Bukola Sakari as senate president,
We had sensible senators like Chukwumerije, James Manager, Osariemmen Osunbor,etc.

Now under APC, even F9 WAEC man Okpebohlo was in the Senate.

APC and their Mor0nicers have Dragged Nigeria 100years Backwards.

Abaribe should not have walked out with that fat Dickson. Let dickson do the fighting himself. The same Dickson was up in arms when Anambra was about to be itted into the Niger Delta commission. He fought that to a standstill untill he suceeded with the help of the Senate leader to stop that bill. That was the only time he was vociferous in that chamber. If ijaws continue to attack the interest of their neighbours, their neighbours should not take their interests seriously. Simple as that.

It's a free world!

One day, the tables will turn... it is inevitable.

When OBJ suspended 2 governors and SHoA, Nigerians, in unity, spoke against it. Even those in power today, were very vocal in thier condemnation of the declaration and no one called them wailers or sore losers... what was wrong, was wrong, no attempts to rationalise it from the masses.

Today, those people have turned to hydra headed monsters, gleefully engaging in the very things they condemned. They have breed an army of miscreants who call those seeking sanity and justice, wailers and sore losers. Now, they revel in hypocrisy and justify thier impunity, and when no justification can be made, they simply tell the masses to go to hell...

But one day, the tables will turn and they will be victims of the illegalities they today.

Abaribe is man of the people.

Realest dude ever!