Members of the Rivers State Caucus in the National Assembly have strongly criticised Senator Henry Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West) over his call for the reinstatement of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the remarks as “misleading, inflammatory, and potentially destabilising.”
In a press briefing following an emergency meeting in Abuja, Chairman of the Caucus and House Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, said Dickson’s comments could “jeopardise the fragile peace efforts currently underway” in Rivers State.
The lawmakers expressed concern over Dickson’s condemnation of the federal government’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers and his call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reverse the suspension of Governor Fubara.
The caucus alleged that Dickson was attempting to “incite unrest” and undermine ongoing peace processes in the oil-rich state.
Chinda insisted that the emergency declaration was “a lawful, constitutional response to escalating political instability and a deteriorating security climate in the state.”
He cited Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which gives the President the authority to declare a state of emergency when national security and public order are under threat.
Reacting to Dickson’s characterization of the emergency administration as military rule, Chinda said:
“Senator Dickson’s attempt to portray the emergency rule as military governance is not only false but intellectually dishonest.”
He clarified that the appointed Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ibas, is now operating as a civilian.
“Just as Senator Dickson, a retired police corporal, is no longer an active service member, Ibas too is a civilian. It is grossly inaccurate to insinuate that Rivers is under military rule.”
The Rivers lawmakers also pointed to the Supreme Court’s ruling on February 28, 2025, which declared the absence of a functional government in Rivers, as legal backing for the federal intervention.
Chinda questioned Dickson’s motives, noting that even Fubara had publicly expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for intervening to prevent chaos.
“It is therefore curious that Dickson, an outsider to the state, has chosen to champion what he termed a false narrative and stir up tension in the state,” he said.
“It is unfortunate that a former governor and serving senator, who should understand the responsibilities that come with leadership, is engaging in divisive rhetoric capable of igniting violence,” Chinda added.
“He is not from Rivers. If he wants to stir trouble, let him do so in Bayelsa. We will not allow external actors to destabilise our state.”
The caucus called on Nigerian security agencies to closely monitor Dickson’s activities and urged the Senate Committee on Ethics to investigate his conduct.
Chinda further recalled previous controversies involving the senator, particularly during his tenure as Bayelsa governor.
“His track record speaks for itself. He lacks the moral standing to preach about democracy,” he asserted, referring to Dickson’s alleged disruption of a Federal High Court sitting in the past.
The lawmakers firmly urged Senator Dickson to stay out of Rivers politics, insisting that his interventions were neither constructive nor welcomed.
Also speaking, Senator Allwell Onyesoh (Rivers East) echoed the caucus’s concerns, describing Dickson’s remarks as “highly inappropriate and unhelpful.”
He called for restraint and responsible leadership from all sides:
“This is a time for calm reflection and responsible leadership,” Onyesoh said.
“Rivers people deserve stability and governance, not provocations from those who are not even directly affected by the crisis,” he concluded.
