Senator Dickson Criticizes Tinubu’s Silence on Rivers Crisis, Warns Against Authoritarian Drift
Senator Seriake Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West in the National Assembly, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu for what he describes as a worrisome silence and indifference to the escalating political unrest in Rivers State.
Speaking to the press shortly after a joint session held in honor of Democracy Day, Dickson lamented what he called the federal government’s complicity in the gradual erosion of democratic values, warning that Nigeria risks slipping into authoritarianism under the guise of democracy.
Highlighting the significance of June 12, a day set aside to honor the nation’s democratic journey, the former Bayelsa State governor expressed grave concern over what he viewed as a contradiction between the day’s symbolic importance and the unfolding political reality. According to him, the current administration’s actions, particularly in Rivers State, run counter to the ideals that June 12 represents.
“It is ironic and deeply disturbing,” Dickson remarked, “that on a day we are meant to reflect on our democratic gains, we are witnessing actions that resemble military rule more than democratic governance. We are celebrating democracy while undermining its foundations.”
At the center of Senator Dickson’s concern was a communication from the presidency regarding the political situation in Rivers, which was read on the Senate floor by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Dickson revealed that he attempted to raise a constitutional matter immediately after the reading but was ignored, a move he described as undemocratic and suppressive.
“I was denied the basic right to raise a constitutional point of order,” Dickson said. “The Senate President moved hastily through the President’s message and disregarded my intervention. That’s not legislative procedure; that’s suppression. It echoes the behavior of military juntas, not a democratic institution.”
He accused President Tinubu’s administration of lending legitimacy to actions in Rivers State that contradict constitutional order, alleging that federal institutions are being used to impose authority over duly elected state officials. He warned that this trend threatens not just Rivers State but democracy across Nigeria.
“This is not about Governor Fubara or any single individual,” he clarified. “It is about safeguarding the principle of federalism and the integrity of our constitution. If the federal government can override constitutional governance in Rivers today, who’s to say Lagos, Kano, or any other state won’t be next?”
Dickson criticized Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech, which he acknowledged was well-composed but claimed failed to address the stark and troubling political developments unfolding in real time. He argued that eloquent rhetoric is no substitute for democratic accountability.
“You cannot extol the virtues of democracy in your speech while permitting or ignoring autocratic behavior on the ground,” Dickson asserted. “President Tinubu spoke beautifully, but his silence on the situation in Rivers reveals a dangerous inconsistency in his commitment to democratic principles.”
In a bid to dispel any notion that his remarks were politically charged or personally motivated, the Senator reiterated that his stance transcends partisan politics. “This is not a PDP versus APC issue,” he said firmly. “This is a Nigerian issue. It is about the rights of citizens, the sanctity of democratic institutions, and the rule of law.”
Drawing a broader pattern from recent events, Dickson pointed to the controversial conduct of elections in Lagos State as a warning sign.
He suggested that the same instruments of federal influence that were used to stifle opposition during the elections are now being deployed to destabilize state governments that are not aligned with the center.
“What happened in Lagos during the general elections was nothing short of political strong-arming,” he said. “Now we are seeing a similar template playing out in Rivers. This is not coincidence; it is a method. And it is a method that is corroding the foundation of our democracy.”
Dickson issued a passionate appeal to Nigerians across the political spectrum to rise above division and rally in defense of democratic norms and constitutional governance.
“This moment calls for unity among all Nigerians—irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation,” he urged. “The struggle for June 12 was about more than casting a ballot; it was about asserting the dignity of the Nigerian people. We owe it to ourselves and to future generations not to let that legacy be trampled underfoot.”