The Rivers State Caucus in the National Assembly has condemned recent comments by Senator Henry Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West), describing them as inflammatory, misleading, and capable of stoking unrest.
The lawmaker had sharply criticized the Federal Government’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of failing to address the political turmoil in the state during his Democracy Day nationwide broadcast on June 12, 2025.
Speaking with journalists after a joint sitting of the National Assembly to commemorate Democracy Day, Senator Dickson described the President’s silence on the Rivers crisis as a “betrayal of democratic ideals.”
He went further to accuse the federal government of orchestrating a “military-style clampdown” on governance in the state, while also alleging that his attempt to raise a constitutional point during Senate plenary was ignored by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
“Democracy is supposed to inspire hope,” Dickson said.
“But what we witnessed today was a suppression of dissent. That’s not democracy, it’s autocracy.”
Reacting to these claims, members of the Rivers Caucus in the National Assembly convened an emergency press briefing in Abuja on Friday, June 13, 2025, where they dismissed Dickson’s remarks as reckless, misleading, and politically driven.
In a joint statement signed by senators and members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, the lawmakers debunked claims that Rivers is under military rule.
They explained that Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ibas, who is currently leading the state’s interim administration, is a retired naval officer and now a civilian, just as Senator Dickson himself, a former police corporal, is no longer a member of the security forces.
“Retirement confers civilian status. Therefore, describing the current leadership in Rivers as ‘military rule’ is not only inaccurate but a deliberate misrepresentation,” the caucus stated.
Citing a Supreme Court ruling of February 28, 2025, which held that Rivers State lacked a constitutionally recognized government at the time, the lawmakers maintained that President Tinubu acted lawfully and decisively to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order.
“The President’s intervention helped stabilize an unfolding crisis and ensured continuity of governance,” they said, noting that even the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara had publicly welcomed the federal government’s decision. “Senator Dickson cannot pretend to be more concerned than the directly affected party.”
The caucus also questioned Dickson’s democratic credentials, accusing him of engaging in ethnic politicking during his recent solidarity visits to the suspended governor. They further recalled past incidents during his tenure as governor of Bayelsa State, including allegations of disrupting court proceedings.
“Senator Dickson’s political history does not qualify him to lecture anyone on democratic norms,” the lawmakers said.
They called on the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate the senator for what they described as “unparliamentary conduct.” They also urged security agencies to keep a close watch on his activities to forestall any attempt to incite violence amid the already tense political climate in Rivers State.
Senator Allwell Onyesoh (Rivers East), who also addressed the media, described Dickson’s outburst as irresponsible and unhelpful. He urged political actors to tone down inflammatory rhetoric and support efforts aimed at restoring stability in the state.
“We need peace, not provocations. Rivers people deserve governance, not distractions from politicians who are not even direct stakeholders in this crisis,” Onyesoh said.
The statement was jointly signed by Senator Barry Mpigi, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, Hon. Solomon Bob, Hon. Felix Nwaeke, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu, Hon. Cyril Hart Godwin, Hon. Blessing Chigeru Amadi, and Hon. Victor Obuzor.
