POLITICS
President Tinubu Missed A Golden Opportunity To Restore Constitutional Rule In Rivers State – Sen. Dickson
Senator Seriake Dickson has launched a scathing critique of both President Bola Tinubu and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, accusing them of undermining democracy even as Nigeria marked the 2025 Democracy Day.
The lawmaker stormed out of the Joint National Assembly session after Akpabio refused to acknowledge his attempt to speak on what he described as “undemocratic communications” from the Presidency regarding Rivers State.
Before President Tinubu’s address at the joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives, the Senate had held a brief plenary where 3 letters from the President were read.
These included requests for the confirmation of the Chairman and members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Members of the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, and Members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission.
Senator Dickson raised a point of order to speak on the communications but was ignored by the Senate President.
visibly upset after leaving the session and addressing Journalists, the federal lawmaker from Bayelsa State in South South region of the country said every Senator, regardless of party or position has the constitutional right to raise issues.
He added that the Senate President is duty-bound by the rules to acknowledge them.
He insisted that these appointments, which he described as attempts to deepen the unconstitutional situation in Rivers State, are being carried out under the cover of democracy, stressing that the situation in Rivers State is a military administration in the midst of democracy, while the country glamorous to be celebrating Democracy Day.
Dickson declared that it is troubling that on Democracy Day, a day meant to symbolize freedom, civil rule, and justice such communications were read unchallenged in the chambers of the Nigeria’s highest law making body.
According to Sen. Dickson, the silence on the Rivers State crisis in the President’s Democracy Day address was deafening.
He questioned why President Tinubu choose the Democracy Day to legitimize what he referred to as those unconstitutional acts.
He acknowledged that the President’s speech was impressive and flowery in parts, and praised him for honoring democracy heroes, but emphasized that democracy is not built by words, rather sustained by actions.
He emphasized that President Tinubu missed a golden opportunity to show leadership and strengthen democracy by restoring constitutional rule in Rivers State.
Dickson emphasized that the crisis is not about Governor Sim Fubara’s origin or political affiliation, but about defending the democratic rights of the people of Rivers State and upholding the Constitution.
He warned that by prioritizing political interests, the President is putting Nigeria’s broader democracy at risk.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has put to rest speculation over its governorship ticket, with the state Chairman, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, reaffirming Eric Opah as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with FLO 94.9 FM, Chukwu declared that all controversies surrounding the party’s primaries have been resolved, and the results announced by the primary election committee — and subsequently ratified by the APC National Working Committee — remain valid and binding.
“The results of the primaries as announced by the primary election committee and ratified by the National Working Committee stand,” Chukwu said. He stressed that Eric Opah is the authentic governorship candidate of the APC in Abia State.
The chairman called on all party members to bury their differences and close ranks in order to build a formidable APC ahead of the 2027 polls.
In the same interview, Chukwu also confirmed that Hon. Erondu Uchenna will be the party’s candidate for the Abia South Senatorial District seat in the upcoming elections.
The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, has alleged that Justice Peter Lifu acted in contempt of court by issuing a judgment that deregistered the ADC and four other political parties despite a pending appeal.
According to Abdullahi, the Court of Appeal had directed that no action should be taken on the matter until the appeal is heard on October 27. He argued that proceeding with the judgment before the appellate court’s determination amounts to a disregard for the court’s directive.
“Justice Peter Lifu, the judge who gave the judgment that deregistered the ADC and four other parties, should be arrested. The Appeal Court said don’t act until the case is heard on October 27. He’s acting in contempt of court,” Abdullahi stated.
The remarks add a new dimension to the legal and political controversy surrounding the status of the affected political parties, with the matter expected to be further addressed when the appeal comes up for hearing.
KANO — Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso has been announced as the deputy governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mustapha is the son of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a leading figure in the party and former governor of Kano State.
The announcement comes amid ongoing political realignments within the NDC in Kano. The party recently unveiled Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo as its governorship candidate for the state, following consultations among party stakeholders.
Political observers say the emergence of Mustapha Kwankwaso as running mate is expected to generate discussions within Kano’s political landscape, given his family ties to the influential Kwankwasiyya movement led by his father.
The NDC has continued to position itself as a major opposition force ahead of the 2027 elections, with the party’s leadership expressing confidence in its chances across key states, including Kano.
Party officials are expected to provide further details on the candidature and campaign strategy in the coming days.
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