…Accuse him of incitement, urge Senate Ethics Committee probe
…Say Dickson promoting ethnic bias, misleading Gov Fubara
…Declare Tinubu’s action in Rivers lawful, timely
By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
Federal lawmakers from Rivers State have lashed out at Senator Seriake Dickson, warning him to desist from making inflammatory remarks about the ongoing political crisis in Rivers and accusing him of incitement against President Bola Tinubu.
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West Senatorial District, had faulted President Tinubu’s Democracy Day address, criticising the President’s silence on the political turmoil in Rivers which he described as a descent into emergency rule.
According to Dickson, “Democracy is supposed to inspire hope, but Tinubu’s actions were a direct assault on that hope.”
The comment triggered backlash from the National Assembly (NASS) caucus of Rivers State, led by Hon Kingsley Chinda, who described the former Bayelsa governor’s remarks as “inciting and unbecoming of a lawmaker.”
In a media briefing held Friday in Abuja, the Rivers caucus, comprising lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, accused Senator Dickson of meddling in the affairs of Rivers State and deliberately misrepresenting constitutional facts.
In a statement signed by Hon Kingsley Chinda and other members including Senators Barry Mpigi, Allwell Onyeso, Dumnamene Dekor, and Solomon Bob, the lawmakers dismissed Dickson’s claim that Rivers is under military rule, stating that the current Sole Administrator is a civilian under the law.
“The caucus cautions Senator Seriake Dickson to steer clear from further incitement of Rivers people. We call on security agencies to place him under watch and urge the Senate Committee on Ethics to investigate his unparliamentary conduct,” the statement read.
The lawmakers defended the emergency intervention in Rivers, citing a Supreme Court ruling that allegedly declared a constitutional vacuum in the state.
“Senator Dickson, a retired police corporal himself, should understand that retired officers are civilians. To call the administration military rule is misleading and intellectually dishonest,” the lawmakers argued.
The caucus further accused Dickson of promoting ethnic division and misleading Governor Siminalayi Fubara, alleging that the senator’s influence contributed to the political unrest that led to the governor’s current political isolation.
“It is extremely unfortunate that a former governor and serving senator would make utterances capable of causing unrest in Rivers. Dickson is not fit to claim to defend democracy,” Hon Chinda stated.
