The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake
Dickson, on Thursday, condemned what he described as a “military-style
suppression of democracy” in Rivers State and criticised President Bola
Tinubu’s silence on the crisis during his 2025 Democracy Day address.
Speaking to journalists after the joint session of the
National Assembly where President Tinubu delivered his address to mark
Nigeria’s 26th Democracy Day anniversary, Dickson expressed deep disappointment
over the President’s failure to address what he called the “unconstitutional
governance” currently playing out in Rivers State, which is under emergency
rule.
“Let me begin by wishing Nigerians a Happy Democracy
Day, even though one could ask—are Nigerians truly happy today?” he said.
“Still, democracy is about hope—hope for a better tomorrow. But what we
witnessed today in the Senate chamber was a mockery of that hope.”
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, recalled
how President Tinubu’s communication on political appointments made by the Sole
Administrator of Rivers State, was read during Thursday’s plenary by Senate
President Godswill Akpabio, after which he attempted to raise a constitutional
point of order.
“My right as a Senator to raise a constitutional
matter was completely ignored. The Senate President rushed through the
President’s communication and brushed aside my intervention,” he said.
“That is a blatant suppression and disrespect for
parliamentary privilege. The majority may have their way, but the minority must
have its say.”
The former Bayelsa State governor described the
communication from the President as an attempt to entrench “unconstitutional
military rule” in Rivers State, warning that such actions were incompatible
with the values of Democracy Day.
“It is troubling that, on a day meant to celebrate
civil rule and justice, the Senate chose to read an undemocratic communication
without challenge,” he stated. “Why choose today—of all days—to endorse actions
that clearly violate the Constitution?”While acknowledging the President’s
Democracy Day speech as “flowery and impressive in tone,” Dickson said there
was a glaring disconnect between Tinubu’s words and the current political
realities in states like Rivers.“You cannot claim to be a democrat on paper and
trample on democracy in practice,” he said. “The President missed a golden
opportunity today to restore constitutional order in Rivers.”Dickson rejected
claims that his stance was based on political affiliations, noting that his
position was rooted in the defense of the Nigerian Constitution.“This is not
about Governor Fubara or any party,” he said. “It is about the people of Rivers
State and the sanctity of our democratic institutions. Today, it is Rivers.
Tomorrow, it could be Lagos or Kano.”He warned that setting a precedent where
elected state officials can be undermined from the federal level would endanger
Nigeria’s democracy across all regions.“What happened in Lagos during the
elections was a power grab. What is happening in Rivers is a continuation of
that trend. We cannot build democracy on a foundation of repression and
silence.”The Senator concluded by calling on all Nigerians—regardless of
political alignment—to speak up and defend the democratic values for which many
paid the ultimate price during the June 12 struggle.“This is not just about one
state,” Dickson said. “It is about protecting our democracy for every
Nigerian—north, south, east, and west. We owe it to those who fought, and we
owe it to future generations to do better.”( Leadership)
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