“How Akpabio Silenced Lawmakers Who Opposed Tinubu’s Emergency Rule,” PDP Senator Speaks

• Bayelsa West senator, Seriake Dickson, has alleged that not all senators backed President Bola Tinubu's declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state
• Dickson alleged that the president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, shut out the federal lawmakers who opposed Tinubu's declaration from participating in the debate on Thursday
• The former governor accused Akpabio of intimidation and maintained that he was not in support of Tinubu's emergency rule and suspension of Rivers governor Sim Fubara

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has narrated how Senate President Godswill Akpabio prevented lawmakers who opposed the emergency rule President Bola Tinubu declared in Rivers state from participating in the debate before their final approval.

Legit.ng recalled that President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers state on Tuesday, March 18, citing escalating political unrest and security concerns.

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Kwankwaso knocks NASS over Tinubu's state of emergency declaration in Rivers

The president also suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, Ngozi Odu, his deputy, and all state lawmakers for six months and appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice admiral, as the sole administrator.

Ibas was charged with the management of the state without enacting new laws.

But on Thursday, March 20, Tinubu lauded the National Assembly for approving the state of emergency proclamation in Rivers state.

Reacting, Senator Seriake Dickson, narrated part of the behind-the-scene incidents during the session where the Senate debated the emergency rule President Tinubu declared in Rivers.

How Akpabio silenced lawmakers during Senate debate

In a statement, Dickson, who walked out of the Red Chamber before the Senate approved the president’s proclamation, said senators who resisted the move were prevented from openly debating the issue during plenary.

As reported by Daily Trust, the senator, a former Bayelsa governor, listed Senators Aminu Tambuwal, Eyinnaya Abaribe and a few others, among his colleagues who were shut out because of their position on the issue.

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Fubara's suspension: Three senators walk out on Akpabio, reason emerges

His statement read:

“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.

“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.”

Fubara reacts to Tinubu's allegations

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara denied the allegations levelled against him by President Tinubu while declaring a state of emergency.

Fubara, who was suspended by President Tinubu for an initial six months, described the allegation of aiding militant attacks on oil installations as baseless.

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2027 election: Akintayo sends message to opposition amid quest to sack Tinubu, "take it or leave it"

The governor also said that the State House of Assembly complex he demolished was being reconstructed and already at 80% completion.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng