“I want to make it clear that as I stated repeatedly, I spoke and voted against the proclamation in our closed session, supported by Senator Aminu Tambuwal and a few other senators who were not recognised to speak. And so I want to thank all the senators who shared the view that I vigorously canvassed.
“I am however aware of the efforts made to modify the declaration as a result of the concerns and views we have expressed and canvassed the past few days. Though I acknowledge the effort being made by the leadership and President to moderate the terms of the declaration and to create a mechanism for oversight, theoretically this does not counter the primary issue of constitutionality,” he stated.
Call for judicial intervention
Mr Dickson said though both chambers of the National Assemblý have ratified the emergency rule declaration, the judiciary could still intervene if the proclamation is legally challenged.
“The beauty of democracy is such that the minority will have their say while the majority their way. I would have wished for a more robust and open debate so that all views and opinions can be openly canvassed as I requested even at the closed session specifically and thereafter, the majority can have their way but as it is, both chambers have decided and the ball is now in the court of the other arms of government, especially the judiciary, in the event of any challenge.”
Censoring freedom of expression
Mr Dickson accused the senate president of attempting to silence him.
He said his right to freedom of expression was undermined when he tried to raise the point of order on the fact that the constitution requires the Nigerian president to brief the Senate on the reasons for the emergency rule.
“My attention has also been drawn to a viral video showing parts of the unfortunate exchanges between the Senate President and I before we dissolved to the closed session.
“As I said on the floor, the senate president was very unfair to me by trying to censor my freedom of expression and by deliberately misrepresenting the import of what I said in the broadcast yesterday which was the same thing I said on the floor today. It is my opposition in principle to the declaration of a state of emergency, as well as the suspension of elected officials “
Resisting intimidation
Mr Dickson also dismissed any attempts to intimidate him, stating that his commitment to democracy remains firm.
“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.
“The Senate as I said is a meeting of equals and everyone should be respected just as we accord respect to the Chair. No senator needs the permission of the senate president to express an opinion in an interview on a topical matter of national interest that is in the public domain.
“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.”
The senator pledged to formally express his displeasure to the Senate leadership and encouraged Nigerians to stand for democracy.
“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.