Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu for failing to address the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State during his Democracy Day address, calling it a missed opportunity to affirm the nation’s democratic values.
Speaking during a press briefing at the National Assembly complex, Dickson expressed disappointment that the president overlooked a matter he described as critical to constitutional governance.
“The occasion of Democracy Day should have been one for reflection and renewed commitment to constitutional governance,” he stated.
Dickson recalled that during plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read a communication from the president concerning appointments in Rivers State. Attempting to raise a constitutional point of order in response, Dickson said he was ignored.
“You also witnessed me rise to raise a constitutional point of order, which I am entitled to do as a senator,” he said. “Unfortunately, the senate president ignored it he did not respond, did not acknowledge it, and brushed it aside. He rushed through the president’s communication, and we moved on. That, again, is a blatant suppression and disrespect for my rights and privileges.”
The senator decried the timing of the communication, noting that it contradicted the essence of Democracy Day.
“Many of us were embarrassed ashamed, even,” Dickson said. “The communication from the president was essentially about deepening the undemocratic, unconstitutional military rule currently in force in Rivers State. That was why I raised the point. It is troubling that on Democracy Day a day that should symbolise freedom, civil rule, and justice such communications were read without challenge.”
While acknowledging the president’s oratorical prowess and references to Nigeria’s democratic heroes, Dickson argued that the speech lacked the necessary depth and courage to confront real-time democratic failures.
“Yes, the president’s speech was impressive and flowery in parts. He made fine declarations of democratic ideals and principles,” he said. “But as I always say, words are not enough. Democracy is not built by words. It is sustained by actions — actions and more actions.”
He insisted that President Tinubu’s failure to directly address the Rivers crisis undermines his message and weakens Nigeria’s democratic fabric.
“You cannot claim to be a democrat on one hand, while trampling democracy underfoot on the other,” Dickson stated. “The president missed a golden opportunity today to strengthen democracy by restoring constitutional rule in Rivers State.”
Describing the president’s silence as “deafening,” Dickson suggested that political expediency had taken precedence over constitutional principles.
“This is not about Governor Fubara’s origin or political party if he even has one,” he said. “Today, people switch parties so frequently we can hardly keep track. This is about the people of Rivers State, their democratic rights, and the sanctity of our constitution.”
He warned that tolerating undemocratic practices in one region could create dangerous precedents nationwide.
“By pandering to certain political interests, the president has put Nigeria’s broader democracy at risk,” he said. “What happens today in Rivers could happen tomorrow in Lagos or Kano. No one holds power forever. If we allow this precedent, what stops a future president from declaring a state of emergency in Lagos or Kano, sacking duly elected officials, appointing administrators, and running the state from Abuja?”
Dickson concluded that his position is rooted in principle rather than regional sentiment.
“I say this not just as someone from Bayelsa, but also proudly as someone maternally from Ijebu,” he said. “That is why we must not allow this to stand. That is why I raise my voice. This is not just about Rivers State. It is about protecting our democracy for every Nigerian north, south, east, and west.”
