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 opposition in the closed session on how the declaration fell short 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. Amino Tambuwal for his strong support of the unconstitutionality of the declaration, especially the aspect that deals with the suspension 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 oppose 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 Amino Tambuwal and a few other senators who were not recognized.
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 and people can independently go to court to challenge the decision as to the constitutionality and the procedure.
My attention has also been drawn to a viral video showing parts of the unfortunate exchanges between the Senate President and I before we resolved 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 which 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 as everyone 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.
I hope to see the Senate President to discuss the matter further with him 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 challenge are actually a call to duty and I therefore call on all people of goodwill to come together and ensure that respect for democracy is promoted in our country.
Henry Seriake Dickson
