Senator Seriake Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling the move unjustified and a threat to Nigeria’s democratic principles. In a recent interview on Arise TV’s PrimeTime program, the senator expressed his shock and disappointment at the presidential proclamation, arguing that it lacked legal and political justification.
The declaration, made on March 18, 2025, has sparked intense controversy, with many questioning its necessity and its potential to destabilize the region and the nation’s democratic processes. Dickson, a long-time advocate for democracy, described the president’s action as “ill-advised” and “shocking,” noting that the situation in Rivers State did not warrant such an extreme measure.
Senator Dickson made it clear that while there are ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, they are not severe enough to justify the suspension of the state’s elected leadership. The senator’s comments followed President Tinubu’s decision to suspend Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, and the entire state assembly, which he argued was an overreach of federal power.
“The issues in Rivers State, though concerning, do not require the drastic action of a state of emergency,” Dickson stated. He added that the situation could be resolved through other constitutional means, without resorting to the suspension of elected officials.
“I have been making calls to ensure that this issue is not misinterpreted as an ethnic clash between the Ikwere and Ijaw people,” he continued. “Leaders across all divides must see this for what it truly is—a political issue, not an ethnic conflict.”
The Rivers political crisis stems from the defection of several members of the state’s House of Assembly from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as the ongoing rivalry between the state’s leadership and federal government figures. While some political analysts have suggested that these tensions could lead to instability, Dickson emphasized that they were not a sufficient reason for the president to suspend the state’s elected officials.
A key concern raised by Dickson was the apparent lack of consultation before the state of emergency was declared. The senator questioned whether all the necessary discussions and legal procedures were followed before the president’s announcement.
“The President knows the key actors in this situation, and yet whatever steps were taken seem insufficient to justify the action. Suspending elected officials is like igniting a nuclear bomb in a constitutional democracy,” Dickson said. He warned that such a move could set a dangerous precedent for other states and undermine the country’s democracy.
According to Dickson, the declaration was made without the necessary consultation with stakeholders, including political leaders, civil society organizations, and the people of Rivers State. “In a democracy, decisions that affect the governance of a state should be made through dialogue and consensus, not unilateral presidential proclamations,” he stated.
While acknowledging that Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution allows for the declaration of a state of emergency in certain circumstances, Dickson questioned whether the legal conditions for such a proclamation had been met in Rivers State. Under the constitution, a state of emergency can only be declared in situations of war, external aggression, or a breakdown of law and order that threatens national security. Dickson argued that none of these conditions existed in Rivers State at the time of the president’s declaration.
“Even if the legal conditions for declaring a state of emergency were fulfilled, it does not automatically justify the suspension of the governor or the state lawmakers,” Dickson said. He further explained that the constitution does not empower the president to unilaterally remove elected officials from office under normal circumstances.
Instead, he argued, there are established constitutional procedures for dealing with issues in state governance, including impeachment processes, which should be followed in such situations. “A state of emergency should be used sparingly, and only in extreme cases where the country’s survival is at risk,” Dickson added.
The political crisis in Rivers State has been brewing for several months, with growing tensions between the state government, led by the PDP, and federal government officials aligned with the APC. The defections of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to the APC have further fueled the political instability, with the PDP accusing the APC of undermining the state government.
The situation reached a boiling point after a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, which seemed to favor the APC. However, instead of allowing the democratic process to unfold, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency, effectively suspending the state’s elected leadership. The move was seen by many as a direct attempt by the federal government to assert control over the state’s political affairs.
Critics of the state of emergency argue that it is less about ensuring security and more about political maneuvering by the ruling party. They point to the fact that the security situation in Rivers State, while needing attention, does not constitute an emergency of the magnitude required by the constitution to justify such a drastic action.
Senator Dickson’s criticism of the president’s action is rooted in his long-standing commitment to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy. As a former governor, he has seen firsthand the importance of allowing states to function within the framework of federalism, respecting the autonomy of state governments, and upholding the rule of law.
The senator highlighted the need for dialogue and collaboration among political leaders to resolve issues in Rivers State, rather than resorting to measures that could destabilize the region and the country as a whole. “We must protect our democracy by ensuring that power is not concentrated in one office and that the rights of the people are upheld through democratic processes,” he said.
As the debate over the state of emergency in Rivers State continues to unfold, the key question remains whether the National Assembly will approve the declaration when it is presented for ratification. A two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives is required for the declaration to stand. If the National Assembly rejects the state of emergency, it will set the stage for a legal battle, with implications for the future of Nigeria’s political landscape.
The situation in Rivers State is a critical moment for the country’s democracy. The outcome of this political crisis could determine how future conflicts between state and federal governments are handled and whether Nigeria can continue to uphold the democratic principles enshrined in its constitution.
As tensions remain high, Senator Dickson’s call for a balanced and lawful resolution to the crisis echoes the concerns of many Nigerians who fear that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State could have long-lasting consequences for the country’s democratic integrity.
