Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, has explained that his exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio arose from an attempt to intimidate him.
The confrontation, which was captured in a viral video, occurred during discussions on President Bola Tinubu’s proposed state of emergency in Rivers State.
In a statement on Friday, Dickson reaffirmed his stance, stating that Akpabio was unfair to him by trying to “censor my freedom of expression and by deliberately misrepresenting the import of what I said in the broadcast on Wednesday, which was the same thing I said on the floor yesterday.”
He stood firm in his opposition to the state of emergency and the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State.
“I thank all those who have called to commend my composure under unnecessary and unexpected attempt at intimidation.
“Everyone, including the Senate President, knows I have long gone beyond that stage in my life,” he said.
Stressing that the Senate is a gathering of equals, Dickson insisted that every member deserves respect, “just as we accord respect to the Chair.”
He also stressed that no senator needs the Senate President’s approval to express their views on national issues in public interviews.
“I intend to meet the Senate President to formally express my displeasure, to prevent a reoccurrence.
“I thank my constituents, Nigerians, and all people of goodwill who have called to express solidarity and urge them not to be dismayed at the direction our democracy appears to have taken.
“For someone like me who has been in trenches over the years, all these challenges are actually a call to duty, and I therefore implore all people of goodwill to come together and ensure that participatory democracy is promoted in our country.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Rivers State,” he said.
