Tension flared on the floor of the senate as Akpabio, Dickson clashed over emergency rule debate in Rivers State
A heated argument erupted on the floor of the senate on Thursday as the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and Sen. Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) disagreed sharply over the procedure for handling President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Problem started when the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion to amend the order of proceedings, allowing the senate to prioritise debate on the state of emergency before attending to other items on the order paper.
However, just as Bamidele rose to present the motion, Sen. Dickson raised a point of order, seeking to draw attention to what he described as a procedural requirement that the senate should first convene a closed-door session before debating such a sensitive matter.
Akpabio appeared reluctant to acknowledge Dickson’s point of order. As Dickson pressed on, repeatedly calling for recognition saying, “Point of Order! Let me make my point, please,” Akpabio instructed the Bayelsa lawmaker to turn off his microphone.
Rather than yielding the floor, Akpabio accused Dickson of already taking a public stance against the senate’s position. “Senator Seriake Dickson, let’s not argue. If we argue, it won’t be good for any of us.
“We are all distinguished people. You were a former governor, and I was a former governor. Please turn off your mic and sit down. I watched you on television. You said whatever the senate does, the senate will never go with you.
“I said you said whatever the senate does, the senate will never have your vote.
“I don’t know but if you have already made up your mind to go on television when the senate has not done anything or considered any issue, I am not arguing with you, but I say, please allow me to preside.”
In response, Dickson insisted on his right to be heard, stressing the need for mutual respect among senators. “Mr Senate President, you know we must have mutual respect for all our colleagues, and I do have regard for you, particularly, as our presiding officer and I think that should be reciprocal.”
Sensing the rising tension, Akpabio eventually acknowledged Dickson’s point, explaining that the senate leader was already moving in that direction before Dickson’s intervention.
