Akpabio And Dickson Clash On Senate Floor Over Rivers State Emergency Declaration

Senate Sparks Over Disagreement Between Akpabio and Dickson

On Thursday, the usually calm atmosphere of the Senate floor turned into a heated debate as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, locked horns over the process to address the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. The disagreement set the tone for what was about to be an intense session.

The Core of the Conflict

At the heart of the argument was the procedural path to be taken in discussing the state of emergency. Akpabio accused Dickson of stepping out of line by preempting the Senate during a television interview. He claimed that Dickson had already aired his views on the situation in Rivers State, potentially influencing the debate before it even began.

Dickson, however, was quick to defend himself. He emphasized the importance of mutual respect among senators and explained that his intention was simply to raise a point of order. He wanted to ensure that the Senate followed the proper process when addressing such a significant declaration. For Dickson, it was about maintaining the integrity of the legislative process.

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Watch the Drama Unfold

For those curious to see how the argument unfolded, check out the video below. It captures the intensity of the moment and gives viewers a front-row seat to the political theater that unfolded in the Senate.

Private Deliberations Follow

After the initial clash, the lawmakers moved into a closed-door session. This was after they had agreed on the process to be followed in discussing the state of emergency. The closed session allowed them to deliberate further without the pressure of public scrutiny.

House of Representatives Mirrors Senate Drama

The tension wasn't limited to the Senate. In the House of Representatives, a similar drama unfolded on Thursday. Rep. Obi Aguocha demanded a head count of members present to ensure that the required two-thirds quorum was met. However, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas ruled that the attendance register would suffice instead of conducting a head count.

Aguocha’s point of order triggered a rowdy session as lawmakers erupted into shouts and engaged in heated exchanges. The Speaker struggled to regain control, urging the members to calm down. The disruption continued for several moments, with the atmosphere growing increasingly tense. It was a chaotic scene that highlighted the challenges of maintaining order in a democratic setting.