• See Updates on Tinubu Rivers state of emergency
Some Nigerian leaders still have conscience. They still want to work for the truth. But the problem is that, all the time, such noble leaders are small in number compared to others who side with the evil.
Yesterday, there was a mild drama in the Senate. During the plenary to discuss President Bola Tinubu’s emergency rule, some senators like Enyinnaya Abaribe, Aminu Tambuwal and Seriake Dickson staged a walk out. They boldly raised objection to Tinubu’s “unconstitutional” proclamation, but they were denied the audience to speak.
Despite their opposition, however, overwhelming number ratified the proclamation.
The plenary was conducted in closed-door, and no voice against Tinunu was allowed to speak. But before Senate President could speak on reporting the Senate’s decision to President Tinubu, Tambuwal, Abaribe, Dickson and others walked out in protest.
Speaking after the session, Senator Dickson knocked the leadership of the Senate.
“The Senate did not undertake the debate in an open session however, it was quite robust.
“I want to thank Sen. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for his strong support of the unconstitutionality of the declaration, especially the aspect that deals with the suspension of the elected officials of the Rivers State government,” Dickson said.
He wrote that he and “few other senators who were not recognized to speak” because they didn’t support Tinubu’s actions.
Recall that Tinubu declared state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday night, suspending the state Governor Siminialayi Fubara, his deputy and all members of House of Assembly.
The proclamation was widely condemned, with opposition leaders urging the National Assembly not to ratify the emergency rule.
But both Chambers shunned the outcry and approved the removal of a democratic government in Rivers State.
Former Naval Staff, Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has already been appointed the Sole Administrator and sworn in.
The conflict in the Senate yesterday highlighted once again the many loopholes in Nigeria democracy.
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A president is an all-powerful person. With his powers to hold sway in both the Federal judiciary and the legislature as well as his absolute control over the federating units he is not much different from the ancient monarch.