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BREAKING: Akpabio, Seriake Dickson in heated argument over State of emergency in Rivers
Tempers flared up between the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio and Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Seriake Dickson on Thursday on the floor of the Senate over observance of the provision of Senate Rules in the handling of debate on the State of emergency in Rivers State.
The State of emergency was to be considered and as Senate convenes for plenary, Senate Leader Michael Bamidele Opeyemi moved a motion for the Order Paper to be re-ordered to enable Senate handling the debate on the State of emergency before any other motion itemized for legislative action.
After Bamidele finished with the reorder paper issue, Senate President calls for approval of the order paper rearrangement and as the Senate President was still talking, Seriake Dickson raised a point of order which Akpabio was unwilling to oblige.
The angry Akpabio reminded Seriake Dickson in a witty manner, how he watched him on television that he would not go the way of Senate on the state of emergency in Rivers, even as Dickson insisted getting the Senate President 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 off your mic and sit down. I watched you on a 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 consider any issue.
“I am not arguing with you, but I say, please allow me to preside.
Replying 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.”
Dickson said, the point of order he raised was to draw attention of Senators to the provision of the need to first break into close door meeting.
The motion for close door was immediately raised by the Senate Leader and seconded by the minority leader, Senator Abba Moro and the Senate went into close door.
