The Rivers State Caucus in the National Assembly has strongly condemned recent remarks made by Senator Henry Seriake Dickson (representing Bayelsa West), labeling them as inflammatory, misleading, and potentially inciting unrest.
Senator Dickson had harshly criticized the Federal Government’s move to consider a state of emergency in Rivers State, accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of neglecting to address the ongoing political crisis in the state during his Democracy Day address on June 12, 2025.
Speaking to journalists after a joint session of the National Assembly held to mark Democracy Day, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson described President Bola Tinubu’s silence on the crisis in Rivers State as a “betrayal of democratic ideals.
”He further accused the Federal Government of executing a “military-style clampdown” on governance in the state and claimed that his effort to raise a constitutional point during Senate plenary was deliberately ignored by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
“Democracy is supposed to inspire hope,” Dickson stated.
But what we witnessed today was a suppression of dissent. That’s not democracy, it’s autocracy,” Senator Dickson asserted.
In response to his remarks, the Rivers State Caucus in the National Assembly held an emergency press briefing in Abuja on Friday, June 13, 2025. During the session, they strongly refuted Dickson’s comments, describing them as reckless, misleading, and politically motivated.
In a joint statement signed by both senators and House of Representatives members from Rivers State, the lawmakers firmly rejected the notion that the state was
The caucus clarified that Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ibas, who currently heads the interim administration in Rivers State, is a retired naval officer and now a civilian—just like Senator Dickson, a former police corporal, who is no longer part of the security services.
“Retirement confers civilian status. Therefore, describing the current leadership in Rivers as ‘military rule’ is not only inaccurate but a deliberate misrepresentation,” the statement read.
Referencing the Supreme Court ruling of February 28, 2025, which determined that Rivers State lacked a constitutionally recognized government at the time, the lawmakers argued that President Tinubu acted within his constitutional authority to avert a total collapse of governance and maintain public order.
“The President’s intervention helped stabilize an unfolding crisis and ensured continuity of governance,” the lawmakers stated, adding that even the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara publicly endorsed the federal government’s decision. “Senator Dickson cannot claim to be more concerned than the person directly affected.
”The caucus went on to challenge Dickson’s democratic credentials, accusing him of stoking ethnic sentiments during recent solidarity visits to the suspended governor. They also referenced controversies from his tenure as Bayelsa State governor, including allegations of interference with judicial proceedings.
“Senator Dickson’s political track record does not qualify him to lecture anyone on democratic principles,” the statement concluded.
The Rivers State Caucus in the National Assembly has called on the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate Senator Henry Seriake Dickson for what they termed “unparliamentary conduct.
” They also urged security agencies to monitor his activities closely, warning that his recent comments could incite violence amid an already fragile political situation in the state.
Speaking at the press briefing, Senator Allwell Onyesoh (Rivers East) described Dickson’s remarks as “irresponsible and unconstructive,” calling on all political figures to refrain from inflammatory statements and instead support efforts to restore calm and effective governance in Rivers State.
“We need peace, not provocations. The people of Rivers State deserve leadership and development, not distractions from politicians who are not directly involved in this crisis,” Onyesoh said.
The statement was jointly signed by Senators Barry Mpigi and Allwell Onyesoh, along with House of Representatives members Kingsley Chinda, Dumnamene Dekor, Solomon Bob, Felix Nwaeke, Kelechi Nwogu, Cyril Hart Godwin, Blessing Chigeru Amadi, and Victor Obuzor.
