Leadnaija
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Senator Seriake Dickson engaged in a heated exchange on Thursday, March 20, over the Senate Rules regarding the debate on the state of emergency in Rivers State.
During plenary, Leader Michael Bamidele Opeyemi moved a motion for the Order Paper to be re-ordered to prioritise the Senate to handle the debate on the state of emergency before any other motion.
Before Opeyemi’s point of order, Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District and former governor of Bayelsa State raised a point of order, which Akpabio hesitated to address.
Akpabio, displeased, reminded Dickson in a humorous manner how he had seen him on television stating he would not align with the Senate on the state of emergency in Rivers. Dickson persisted in seeking the Senate President’s 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.
In response 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.”
Read Full News>. Dickson said the point of order he raised was to draw the attention of Senators to the provision on the need to first break into a closed-door meeting.
The motion to close the door was immediately raised by the Senate Leader and seconded by the minority leader, Senator Abba Moro and the Senate went into a closed-door session.
