On Thursday, Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, strongly criticized what he described as a “military-style suppression of democracy” unfolding in Rivers State. He also expressed disappointment over President Bola Tinubu’s failure to address the situation during his Democracy Day address to the National Assembly.
Speaking with journalists after the joint session where President Tinubu delivered his speech marking Nigeria’s 26th Democracy Day, Senator Dickson said the President missed a crucial opportunity to confront what he termed “unconstitutional governance” currently taking place in Rivers State, which he characterized as being under de facto emergency rule.
“Let me begin by wishing Nigerians a Happy Democracy Day—even though one must ask: are Nigerians truly happy today?” Dickson remarked. “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, referenced a communication from President Tinubu concerning political appointments made by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, which was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary. He noted that his attempt to raise a constitutional point of order in response to the communication was dismissed.
“My right as a Senator to raise a constitutional matter was completely ignored. The Senate President rushed through the President’s communication and disregarded my intervention. That is a blatant suppression and a disregard for parliamentary privilege. The majority may have their way, but the minority must be allowed their say,” he stated.
The senator described the President’s communication as an effort to legitimize an unconstitutional framework resembling military rule in Rivers State. He warned that such actions are inconsistent with the principles that Democracy Day is meant to uphold.
“It is deeply troubling that on a day dedicated to celebrating civil governance and justice, the Senate would endorse undemocratic actions without scrutiny,” he said. “Why choose this day, of all days, to support conduct that clearly contravenes the Constitution?”
Full Text: Tinubu’s address at joint National Assembly session on Democracy Day
While acknowledging the President’s Democracy Day speech as eloquent and optimistic in tone, Dickson argued that there was a clear disconnect between Tinubu’s rhetoric and the prevailing political realities in states such as Rivers.
“You cannot profess democratic ideals in your speech while simultaneously undermining democracy in practice. The President missed a valuable opportunity to restore constitutional order in Rivers,” he added.
Senator Dickson rejected any suggestion that his stance was driven by partisan considerations. He emphasized that his concerns were grounded in a commitment to uphold the Nigerian Constitution.
“This is not about Governor Fubara or any political party,” he said. “It is about the people of Rivers State and the sanctity of our democratic institutions. Today it’s Rivers. Tomorrow, it could be Lagos or Kano.”
He warned that allowing a precedent in which elected state officials are undermined by federal influence poses a serious threat to democratic governance across Nigeria.
“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 a sustainable democracy on a foundation of repression and silence,” Dickson concluded.
