Senator Seriake Dickson has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it unjustified and a threat to democratic principles. Speaking on Arise TV’s PrimeTime, the former Bayelsa governor described the move as “shocking” and “ill-advised”, arguing that it lacked proper consultation and undermined constitutional governance.
While acknowledging political tensions in Rivers, Dickson insisted they do not warrant such extreme measures. He emphasized that a state of emergency does not legally justify the suspension of elected officials, warning that such actions could escalate political instability rather than resolve it. He also urged leaders to prevent the crisis from being misinterpreted as an ethnic conflict between the Ikwerre and Ijaw communities.
The senator further questioned whether the constitutional conditions for emergency rule under Section 305 had truly been met. Even if they were, he argued, suspending the governor and lawmakers was an overreach that could set a dangerous precedent. He called for a more measured, lawful approach to resolving the crisis, rather than what he described as a “nuclear bomb” on democracy.