Bayelsa West senator, Seriake Dickson, walked out of the Senate chamber on Thursday shortly before the upper chamber approved the state of emergency in Rivers State.

The Senate gave its approval after a closed-door session that lasted for one hour and twenty minutes during Thursday’s plenary.

At around 1:40 pm, as senators returned from the closed-door meeting, Dickson, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Bayelsa State governor, was seen leaving the chamber visibly upset.

Although he did not publicly state the reason for his abrupt exit, it was clear that he was uncomfortable with the agreement reached during the closed-door session.

Earlier, there was a disagreement between Dickson and Senate President Godswill Akpabio before the Senate moved into the private session.

The dispute began when Dickson raised a point of order, citing Order 135 of the Senate Rules, which mandates that the President of Nigeria must brief the Senate in a closed-door session on the circumstances necessitating a state of emergency.

Akpabio immediately interrupted him, referencing Dickson’s prior comments on television opposing the emergency rule even before the Senate had deliberated on it.

“I watched you on television. Listen to me; let’s not argue. If we argue, it won’t be good for any of us. We are all distinguished people. You’re a former governor and I am a former governor, please off the mic, please be seated,” Akpabio told Dickson.

Dickson complied and took his seat.

Akpabio then accused him of forming an opinion on the matter before the Senate had reached a conclusion.

“I watched you on television and you said ‘no matter what the Senate does, the Senate will never go with you. The Senate will not go with you.’ You said no matter what the Senate does, the Senate will not have your vote, that was what you said on the television.

“I am saying that if you’ve already made up your mind to talk on television when the Senate has not considered this issue. I am not arguing with you, please allow me to preside,” Akpabio added.

Despite the Senate President’s remarks, Dickson proceeded with his point of order, urging his colleagues to adhere to Senate rules.

He emphasized the importance of following procedural guidelines and reminded the chamber that the Senate is governed by two key documents: Nigeria’s constitution and the Senate Standing Rules.

“We must have national respect for all our colleagues and for you, particularly our presiding officer, and it should be reciprocal. The point of order is to draw the attention of the presiding officer and our colleagues to the specific provisions of our rules. Each one of us is guided by two documents, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and rules that govern our proceedings.”

“The proclamation has been read to us, and I want to draw your attention, Mr President, respectfully, and the attention of all our colleagues to the specific provisions of our rules, Order 135. It is very exhaustive. Once there’s a state of emergency declaration, there is a procedure,” he stated.

Akpabio later upheld Dickson’s point of order but clarified that the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, had already planned to move for a closed-door session before Dickson raised his concerns.

The Senate then proceeded into the closed-door meeting, where the emergency rule was discussed and unanimously approved.

Order 135 of the Senate states, “The President shall, in a closed-door session, brief the Senate on the circumstances of the proclamation of a state of emergency.”

Meanwhile, the South-South Governors’ Forum had earlier opposed the state of emergency declaration in Rivers.

The forum’s chairperson, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, argued that the political situation in Rivers had not deteriorated to the point of warranting emergency rule, considering the provisions of Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution.

Diri explained that Section 305(3) specifies that a state of emergency should be declared only under conditions such as war, external aggression, or imminent invasion.

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has called on traditional rulers to avoid partisan politics, emphasizing their role in maintaining peace and stability across the state.

During a meeting with traditional leaders at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Ibas, a retired vice admiral and former Chief of Naval Staff, expressed his strong commitment to the Niger Delta region and underscored the importance of Rivers State in Nigeria’s development.

Reflecting on the ongoing political instability in the state, he expressed concern over the unrest.

“As a former naval chief, my duty was to protect lives, and I remain committed to restoring peace in Rivers State,” he said.

He assured the traditional rulers that his administration would work diligently to restore stability and uphold the state’s reputation.

Stressing his primary mandate of ensuring peace, he noted that Rivers State is too important to be engulfed in turmoil.

“A society without order is a society without progress,” he added.

Ibas described traditional rulers as a crucial link between the government and the people and urged them to play an active role in de-escalating tensions within their communities.

He cautioned them against political affiliations in both words and actions, while also warning against involvement in cultism and vandalism.

Emphasizing their role in community security, he encouraged the rulers to maintain open communication with their subjects.

“Security is the responsibility of all, not just the government,” he stated, making it clear that his administration would not tolerate disorder.

While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Ibas reaffirmed his willingness to collaborate and receive suggestions that would help in stabilizing the state.

In response, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Chike Worlu-Wodo, assured Ibas of their full cooperation.

He praised the appointment as a positive step for the state and reiterated the commitment of traditional rulers to upholding peace in their respective communities.

“As traditional rulers, our primary duty is to ensure peace in our kingdoms, clans, and communities,” he said.

He encouraged Ibas to see himself as a mediator, likening his role to that of a peacemaker resolving conflicts.

The monarch wished the administrator success in his mission, stating that Rivers State is in dire need of peace.

“We are not in doubt of your ability, which is why you were appointed,” he concluded.

As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 presidential election, political maneuvering has intensified, with key figures seeking viable platforms among the country’s 19 registered parties.

Among these, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has emerged as a hub of activity, with seven presidential aspirants already lined up, according to the party’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye.

“We have eight presidential aspirants; it could be 10. Seven of them are on our platform,” Agunloye revealed on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political program aired on Channels Television. While he refrained from naming the aspirants, he emphasized the party’s determination to retain all interested contenders, ensuring they do not defect to rival parties.”

Adding to the intrigue, Agunloye confirmed that allies of 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi had approached the SDP, exploring the possibility of his future candidacy under the party.

“Obi’s people came to us to say if Obi comes, would you take him? Of course, we told them: ‘Yes’. I was in that meeting. Some of them are with us saying that they are preparing the ground but you have to join SDP. You cannot be in the Labour Party and be telling us Obi is coming without joining us otherwise we can’t open our doors for you. But Obi may have no plan to come or he may want to come. People do all of this but where we stand is that we must do well in our platform,” he stated.

The buildup to 2027 has seen opposition forces coalescing in a bid to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its leader, President Bola Tinubu.

On March 20, 2025, prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Obi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, formally announced a coalition aimed at unseating the incumbent administration, which has faced criticism over rising inflation and economic hardships.

The coalition is banking on the numerical strength of votes secured by Atiku and Obi in 2023, when they collectively garnered over 12 million votes, more than four million above Tinubu’s total.

However, with internal crises plaguing both the PDP and LP, along with discontent among APC members, the SDP has emerged as a viable alternative for political heavyweights.

SDP’s Agunloye confirmed the party’s openness to new entrants.

“Our gates are open. So, if all of them want to come, we will take them,” he said. However, he stressed that new arrivals would not be allowed to overshadow long-standing party members.”

“We will not allow people to come and sweep the people out from the place. We must synergize; we must maximize the opportunities because these are people with a lot of experience.”

“Whatever anybody wants to say about El-Rufai, you cannot take his experience away, you cannot take his expertise away, you cannot take his energy away. And he has money because anybody who is able to win elections has money –whether he is able to raise it or has it from inheritance. So, it is a plus that he joins the party but we must find a way to work together with him.”

The SDP official also confirmed that El-Rufai’s defection from the APC to the SDP had triggered an influx of new members.

“I know that (Hamza) Al-Mustapha has come because he came to the office to collect our membership card. El-Rufai has come and a couple of his former commissioners, and associates.”

“Several other people called and said they don’t know El-Rufai but because he came, they want to come. I am the secretary of the party. If your name is not on our book, you have come but you have not entered,” he explained.

Rumors have swirled about Atiku potentially joining the SDP, but Agunloye remained cautious.

“I’ve been hearing that Atiku is coming. Atiku and I are friends since the time he was vice president. He still spoke to me about one week or less ago; he didn’t say: ‘I am coming’.”

With multiple high-profile politicians eyeing the SDP’s presidential ticket, Agunloye acknowledged the complexity of the situation.

“Just imagine Peter Obi, Atiku, El-Rufai, (Attahiru) Bafarawa come on the same platform, you have to find a balance,” he noted.

Regarding zoning of the party’s 2027 ticket, he indicated that the decision would be made collectively.

“We need to strengthen all the structures in SDP. We need to preserve the integrity of the SDP. We need to have a situation where everybody has his responsibility. Because they have come, we are not going to merge but we must be honest. It is only when we deal honestly that Peter Obi can sit down, Adewole (Adebayo) can sit down, Atiku can sit down.”

The Supreme Court has reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), overturning the decision of the Appeal Court, Enugu Division.

In a unanimous judgment, a five-member panel of the apex court ruled that issues concerning the leadership or membership of a political party fall under internal party affairs and should not be subject to judicial intervention.

The decision nullifies the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court in Enugu, which had affirmed Anyanwu’s removal following a suit filed by Aniagwu Emmanuel.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Jamilu Tukur stated that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, as the necessary exceptional circumstances were not present.

The court clarified that such circumstances include cases where the Nigerian Constitution explicitly grants jurisdiction, when a crime has been committed, or when contractual rights have been violated.

Additionally, the Supreme Court pointed out that the failure to include Sunday Udeh Okoye as a party to the case meant that Aniagwu Emmanuel lacked the legal standing to file the suit in the first place.

The National Assembly (NASS) has come under heavy criticism following its approval of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Nigerians across different sectors have expressed outrage over what they describe as a hasty and undemocratic endorsement of the president’s decision, which includes appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as the state’s sole administrator.

Despite calls from opposition leaders and concerned citizens urging lawmakers to reject the emergency declaration, members of both chambers unanimously approved it through a voice vote.

The Senate, in addition, invoked Section 11(4) of the Constitution, giving itself the authority to oversee the administration of Rivers State.

In the House of Representatives, an attempt by Obi Agwuncha to call for a headcount of lawmakers present was ignored, while the motion was amended to transfer legislative authority over Rivers State from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to the National Assembly.

Prior to the deliberation, prominent figures, including Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka, had spoken against the state of emergency.

Obi had urged Labour Party lawmakers to oppose the decision, while Chidoka argued that security agencies should be strengthened to maintain peace rather than resorting to emergency rule.

He also suggested that the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) should play a more active role in resolving the crisis.

However, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, stood firm on their decision.

After a closed-door session lasting over an hour, the Senate approved the emergency declaration and set up a joint ad hoc committee to oversee the state’s administration.

The House of Representatives followed suit in a swift one-hour session, where initial opposition to the decision was quickly overruled.

President Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast, had earlier suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.

Lawmakers in the House debated modifications to the emergency rule, with Minority Whip Ali Isah suggesting that the emergency should be reviewed periodically instead of lasting a fixed six months. His recommendation was adopted.

In response to accusations that he failed to address security concerns in the state, Governor Fubara, through his Chief Press Secretary Nelson Chukwudi, denied any role in the recent threats by militants and dismissed claims that he neglected rebuilding the demolished House of Assembly complex.

He blamed ongoing tensions on comments made by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, stating that Wike’s refusal to apologize for remarks against the Ijaw people fueled unrest in the state.

Criticism of the National Assembly’s handling of the situation has continued to mount.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, warned that the approval could set a dangerous precedent, allowing President Tinubu to impose emergency rule in other opposition-led states.

He also condemned the use of a voice vote, arguing that Nigerians deserved to know where each lawmaker stood on the issue.

Peter Obi also criticized the voice vote on his X handle, stating: “You cannot determine a two-thirds majority by a voice vote. Decisions of such magnitude must be made with integrity, following the letter and spirit of the law.”

Former Ogun Central Senator Femi Okurounmu also questioned the decision, arguing that the voice vote undermined representative democracy.

He said, “While I do not have evidence to back the insinuation that the lawmakers were either induced or coerced to use voice votes, it is not impossible, because voice votes have also been adopted to determine important matters like this in the past. But that doesn’t make it right.”

Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok Ibas, has stated that his appointment by President Bola Tinubu is aimed at ensuring stability of livelihoods for citizens and residents amid the ongoing political crisis in the oil-rich state.

In a statewide broadcast in Port Harcourt on Thursday night, Ibas acknowledged the gravity of his appointment, describing it as coming at a difficult and consequential moment in history.

He highlighted how the prolonged political impasse in Rivers State had led to a paralysis of governance, the desecration of democratic institutions, security threats, and significant disruptions to the state’s economic and social fabric.

“The crisis had deepened divisions amongst the people and cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future,” he noted.

“As a son of the Niger Delta, I am one of you. I recognize the weight of this moment, the expectations of the people and the challenges that lie ahead.”

He expressed deep concern over the tension in the state, emphasizing the widespread anxiety among families, businesses, and investors regarding the uncertainty of the immediate future.

“The uneasy calm that pervades the state is palpable and I feel the weight of families, young and old, businesses that have made both little and huge investments in Rivers State uncertain what the immediate future holds.

“Mr. President’s proactive and decisive action to declare a state of emergency and my subsequent appointment is primarily to ensure stability of livelihoods for citizens and residents.

“Restore peace, security and stability for economic activities to continue to thrive and avert any disruptions to the way of life of the people of Rivers State.

“My mandate is clear: to restore law and order, stabilize the polity and to create the necessary conditions for the full restoration of democratic institutions and representation.”

Ibas stressed that achieving success in this mission would require collective effort from all stakeholders in the state.

“This is not a task for one man alone. Success will depend on the collective effort of all Rivers people, elders, political leaders, traditional rulers, trade leaders, youths, women, the media and civil society.

“I do not come as a partisan actor nor as a competitor in the struggles that have brought us to this moment. I come as a servant of the state, entrusted with the solemn duty of restoring peace and order so that Rivers State can move forward once again and reclaim its rightful place as the oil and gas capital of Nigeria and I dare say, Africa.”

Emphasizing his primary role, he assured residents that his focus was on protecting lives and livelihoods rather than being drawn into political conflicts.

“My role here is to ensure that the lives and livelihoods of our people are not held hostage by crisis and instability. Governance is not a solitary endeavour. True stability and renewal require the collective will of the people.

“I extend my hand to every son and daughter of Rivers State, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity or creed. I urge you to remain law-abiding, peaceful and optimistic. Let us set aside our differences and work together to rebuild trust, restore stability and protect the future of our children.

“The challenges before us depend on unity not division, on cooperation not discord, on forward thinking not backward grievances. The commitment to unity, cooperation and dialogue must be the fulcrum of all engagements going forward.”

Ibas also cautioned against the destruction of national infrastructure, reminding the people of the Niger Delta of the long-term consequences of such actions.

“Destruction of national infrastructure in the name of agitation is something we in the Niger Delta have since put behind us. Through collective engagements, our people have become more aware of the collateral damage that comes with it.

“Not only does it deprive the government of enough resources to provide necessary critical infrastructure and services, the damage to the environment has left vast areas of the Niger Delta extensively devastated, affecting the health and livelihoods of our people.

“We must resist the temptation to return to those ugly days. Dialogue and honest engagement have proven time and time again as a veritable tool for resolving differences and conflicts of any kind.”

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to upholding civil liberties and human rights while ensuring that lawbreakers would face consequences.

“Let me be clear, under my leadership, civil liberties and fundamental human rights will be respected and protected. The rule of law will remain sacrosanct. However, those who seek to sabotage the social or economic stability of Rivers State and national infrastructure and institutions within the state or who attempt to disrupt the peace for selfish or destructive ends will find no tolerance for their actions.”

He warned against lawlessness and violence, asserting that while his administration would act fairly, it would also ensure order was maintained.

“There will be no room for lawlessness, no space for violence and no patience for actions that threaten the collective well-being of Rivers State. We will not act arbitrarily but neither will we hesitate to enforce the law where necessary.

“Let no one be in doubt, we will uphold justice and fairness but we will also ensure that civil order prevails. I have just concluded my inaugural state security meeting and taken additional briefs from heads of security agencies in the state. I have noted various reports, initiatives and concerns, some of which I have given clear directives on specific actions.

“I have specifically charged them to remain neutral, respect the rights of citizens and do all within their powers to maintain law and order, while collectively working to de-escalate tensions where they come in contact with such.”

He assured residents that in the coming days, his administration would develop a clear roadmap for governance over the next six months, ensuring government agencies function effectively and essential services continue.

“I will move with deliberate speed to articulate a pragmatic roadmap for the next six months to ensure that every government bureaucracy is properly functioning and agencies providing services to citizens and residents are doing so, and engage stakeholders as mandated by the President.”

The 36 state Houses of Assembly in Nigeria have officially adopted a harmonised set of standing orders to standardize legislative procedures across the country.

This move aims to address inconsistencies in the suspension and impeachment of lawmakers, the removal of presiding officers, and other parliamentary processes.

The new rules, ratified at a workshop in Lagos organized by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in collaboration with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, will also govern budgetary procedures, appointment confirmations, elections of presiding officers, legislative reports, and the formation of special and ad hoc committees.

Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, highlighted the significance of this development, stating that Nigeria was aligning with global best practices by adopting a uniform legislative framework.

“This monumental step forward, which began in 2021, is not just a procedural reform; it is a strategic step towards strengthening the efficiency, transparency, and uniformity of legislative operations across all states Houses of Assembly. By standardising our legislative rules, we are enhancing collaboration, improving legislative oversight, and ultimately ensuring a more responsive and accountable governance framework at the sub-national level,” Ogundoyin said.

He further noted that countries such as the United States, South Africa, and Rwanda operate similar unified legislative frameworks, and Nigeria’s adoption of harmonised standing orders would reinforce democratic governance and institutional integrity.

He expressed confidence that state assemblies would fully integrate the new rules within three months.

“We are happy to draw inspiration from our partners, the German Government and the United States of America, whose 50 states operate a centralised standing order. On the African continent, South Africa and Rwanda stand tall in this regard, and Nigeria is set to join the list of countries with harmonised legislative frameworks, further solidifying our commitment to democratic governance and institutional strengthening,” he added.

Speaking at the event, the Resident Representative of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Nigeria, Marija Peran, explained that the harmonisation process is intended to foster consistency and collaboration among the state assemblies.

She cited recent legislative crises in Lagos and Rivers states as examples of why standardized rules are necessary.

“We are only two and a half months into 2025 and some states’ Houses of Assembly have already been shaken up massively. This shows us that we cannot take either stability or democratic processes for granted.

“As we further embark on this journey, it is essential to reflect on the significance of uniform standing orders within the states’ Houses of Assembly. These orders serve as the backbone of legislative procedures, ensuring consistency, transparency and efficiency in the legislative processes.”

“The objectives of harmonising these orders are clear: to create a standardised approach that fosters collaboration, reduces procedural discrepancies and enhances the overall effectiveness of the legislative bodies,” she said.

Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, emphasized that state legislatures often face interference from the executive arm of government, making their autonomy vulnerable.

He said the harmonised standing orders would provide a structured framework to safeguard legislative independence.

“By doing so, we can build a resilient legislative system where state assemblies operate effectively, free from external disruptions,” he said.

Reflecting on past legislative crises, he added: “We must reflect deeply on the lessons from Rivers, Lagos states and other similar incidents in the past. A harmonised framework for legislative rules across the states will help promote consistency in parliamentary practice, strengthen legislative independence, and create safeguards against undue executive and judicial interventions.”

The journey toward harmonising legislative rules started in 2016, culminating in the official adoption and ratification of the standing orders at the Lagos conference.

The new framework is expected to enhance stability, transparency, and efficiency within state assemblies nationwide.

Concerned constituents in Kogi Central have raised alarm over an alleged scheme to manipulate voters into initiating a recall process against their elected senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, under the guise of an empowerment programme.

A video of the purported recall process surfaced online, showing constituents queuing with their voter’s cards to endorse the move.

However, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kogi State, Hale Longpet, has denied any knowledge of such a process.

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja has vacated an earlier order that had restricted the Senate from carrying out its constitutional functions in the matter concerning Akpoti-Uduaghan.

A coalition of women groups, Womanifesto, has also condemned what it describes as harassment and intimidation against the senator, affirming its support for her.

The recall exercise, reportedly held in Okehi Local Council, drew a sizable crowd. According to local sources, the event transcended party lines, driven by increasing dissatisfaction with Akpoti-Uduaghan’s handling of key issues like poverty, infrastructure, and education.

However, in a statement released by concerned constituents, former Governor Yahaya Bello and his allies were accused of orchestrating the recall in collaboration with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The group described the move as political retaliation against Akpoti-Uduaghan, who defeated Bello’s preferred candidate in the last senatorial election and has since been vocal about accountability.

“This so-called empowerment programme is a smokescreen. Many unsuspecting participants did not realise they were being tricked into signing a recall petition. This is political mischief aimed at silencing Natasha,” the statement read.

The group urged Kogi Central residents to remain vigilant and resist what they called an orchestrated attack on democracy.

They also called on the Federal Government to intervene and prevent actions that could destabilize the state.

Reaffirming their loyalty, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters passed a vote of confidence in her leadership and warned against any further attempts to undermine her position.

Speaking to newsmen, Longpet dismissed the recall rumours, emphasizing that no official process had been initiated by the electoral body.

“If there is any recall exercise, I should be the one to draw the timetable. In addition to the timetable, there will be a public enlightenment campaign through my office where criteria for the recall process will be made clear to the public, particularly Kogi Central.

As I speak, I am not aware of any move to recall Sen Akpoti-Uduaghan. I have not even received any instruction from my boss, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, to embark on such an exercise. So, I don’t know where the rumour is coming from,” he said.

The Federal High Court ruling, delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, reaffirmed the Senate’s authority to discipline its members without external judicial interference.

The dispute traces back to a heated exchange between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio during plenary on February 20, 2025.

Her protest over the reallocation of her seat was deemed disorderly, leading to her six-month suspension.

The ruling was seen as a pivotal moment in reinforcing legislative independence, upholding the Senate’s right to regulate its own affairs.

The case has been adjourned to March 25 for further hearings.

Womanifesto, a coalition of women’s rights organizations, strongly condemned what it described as unjust treatment of Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The group argued that the recall attempt was part of a broader effort to discredit the senator and suppress her influence.

It also raised security concerns, citing reports that Akpoti-Uduaghan could face arrest upon her return to Nigeria.

The group further criticized the Senate’s Ethics Committee, accusing it of being influenced by Akpabio’s public statements.

In response, it demanded the formation of an independent ad hoc committee to investigate the issues surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Womanifesto also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold the rule of law and ensure that any recall process follows constitutional guidelines.