Seriake Dickson

 Senator Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West) has criticised President Bola Tinubu for failing to address the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, accusing the Federal Government of enabling what he described as “military-style suppression of democracy”.

Speaking after a joint National Assembly session commemorating Democracy Day, the former Bayelsa governor expressed concern that Tinubu’s national broadcast ignored the ongoing constitutional crisis in Rivers.

“Democracy is supposed to inspire hope, but what we saw today in the Senate was a direct assault on that hope,” Dickson stated.

His anger followed a presidential communication read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which he said was rushed through without allowing him to raise a constitutional point of order.

“My right as a senator to raise a constitutional issue was completely disregarded. That’s not how democracy works. “That’s how military regimes operate,” he said.

Dickson accused the Tinubu administration of attempting to legitimise unconstitutional actions in Rivers through federal support, warning that such moves contradict the very spirit of June 12, a day honouring Nigeria’s democratic struggle.

“You cannot preach democracy and practice autocracy,” he argued. “President Tinubu’s speech was beautifully written, but his silence on Rivers betrays a troubling disregard for the rule of law.”

Rejecting claims of political bias, Dickson said his concerns were about constitutional integrity, not partisan loyalty.

“This is not about Governor Fubara or political parties. It is about the survival of democracy,” he stressed.

Drawing parallels to past events in Lagos during the general elections, he warned of an emerging trend of federal overreach.

“If Rivers can be treated this way today, what stops Lagos or Kano from being next?” he asked.

Dickson urged Nigerians to defend democratic principles, saying, “The legacy of June 12 must not be betrayed.”