Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, on Thursday criticized President Bola Tinubu’s silence on the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, accusing the Federal Government of facilitating a “military-style suppression of democracy.”
Speaking to journalists after a joint session of the National Assembly commemorating Democracy Day, the former Bayelsa State governor expressed dismay that President Tinubu’s nationwide address failed to acknowledge what Dickson described as a “constitutional aberration” unfolding in Rivers.
“Let me start by saying Happy Democracy Day to all Nigerians — even though one might ask: are we truly happy?” Dickson remarked. “Democracy is supposed to inspire hope, but what we saw today in the Senate was a direct assault on that hope.”
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Dickson’s outrage stemmed from a communication from the President regarding political developments in Rivers State, which was read during the plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Dickson alleged that his attempt to raise a constitutional point of order immediately after the announcement was “deliberately shut down.”
“My right as a Senator to raise a constitutional issue was completely disregarded,” he asserted. “The Senate President rushed through the President’s message and ignored my intervention. That’s not how democracy works. That’s how military regimes operate.”
He accused the Tinubu administration of attempting to legitimize “unconstitutional governance” in Rivers State through federal backing, warning that such actions contradict the spirit of June 12, a day symbolizing Nigeria’s democratic struggle. “It’s deeply ironic that on a day meant to celebrate the triumph of civil authority, the Senate is endorsing actions that undermine the Constitution,” Dickson noted. “Why read this communication today, of all days, if not to send a chilling message about federal overreach?”
Dickson further contended that Tinubu’s Democracy Day address, while eloquent, was disconnected from the country’s harsh political realities. “You cannot preach democracy and practice autocracy,” he stated. “President Tinubu’s speech was beautifully written, but his silence on Rivers betrays a troubling disregard for the rule of law.”
Rebuffing suggestions of political motivation, Dickson emphasized that his concerns transcend party lines and are rooted in constitutional fidelity. “This is not about Governor Fubara. It is not about political parties. It is about the people of Rivers State and the survival of democracy in Nigeria,” he asserted. “If Rivers can be treated this way today, what stops it from being Lagos or Kano tomorrow?”
He referenced past power plays during general elections, particularly in Lagos, as indicators of an emerging pattern of political repression supported by state institutions. “What we saw in Lagos during the elections was a blatant power grab. What’s happening in Rivers now is the continuation of that trend,” he warned. “We are sliding into a dangerous place where federal might is used to subvert local democracy.”
Dickson called on all Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation, to defend democratic principles and institutions.
“This is not just about one state or one governor. This is about our collective future,” he declared. “The struggle of June 12 wasn’t just about voting — it was about dignity, justice, and the voice of the people. We must not betray that legacy.”
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