State of Emergency in Rivers: Akpabio, Dickson in heated argument

State of Emergency in Rivers: Akpabio, Dickson in heated argument

The President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio
and Senator Seriake Dickson, were on Thursday locked up in heated argument over
the provision of Senate Rules in the handling of debate on the State of
emergency in Rivers State.

 

As Senate convenes for plenary, Senate Leader Michael
Bamidele Opeyemi moved a motion for the Order Paper to be re-ordered to enable
Senate handling the debate on the State of emergency before any other motion
itemized for legislative action.

 

As Bamidele stood to point out relevant order, Seriake
Dickson representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District and former governor of
Bayelsa State raised a point of order which Akpabio was hesitant to oblige.

 

The angry Akpabio reminded Seriake Dickson in a witty
manner, how he watched him on television that he would not go the way of the
Senate on the state of emergency in Rivers, even as Dickson insisted on getting
the Senate President attention through a point of order.

 

Akpabio said: “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, 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.

 

Replying to the Senate President, Seriake Dickson said: “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.”

 

Dickson said the point of order he raised was to draw
attention of Senators to the provision of the need to first break into a closed
door meeting.

 

The motion for close door was immediately raised by the
Senate Leader and seconded by the minority leader, Senator Abba Moro and the
Senate went into close door.

Source: State of Emergency in Rivers: Akpabio, Dickson in heated argument

 - NigerianEye

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