Senator Seriake Dickson blasts Tinubu’s silence on Rivers political crisis, warning of creeping autocracy on Nigeria’s Democracy Day
Rivers political crisis democracy warnings rang out on Democracy Day as Senator Seriake Dickson condemned President Bola Tinubu’s silence on the ongoing constitutional standoff in Rivers State.
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Speaking to journalists after the National Assembly’s special session, the Bayelsa West lawmaker criticised the federal government for what he called a creeping military-style suppression of democratic processes.
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, expressed deep disappointment that the President failed to mention the crisis in his nationwide address.
He described the situation in Rivers as a serious constitutional aberration that should not be ignored.
In his words, “Democracy is supposed to inspire hope, but what we saw today in the Senate was a direct assault on that hope.”
The senator’s frustration peaked when Senate President Godswill Akpabio read out a message from the President concerning political developments in Rivers State.
Dickson claimed he was deliberately prevented from raising a constitutional point of order during the session.
“My right as a Senator to raise a constitutional issue was completely disregarded,” he said. “That’s not how democracy works. That’s how military regimes operate.”
He accused the federal government of backing unconstitutional activities in Rivers State. According to him, using Democracy Day to deliver such a communication in the Senate was a symbolic gesture of federal overreach.
“Why read this communication today, of all days, if not to send a chilling message about federal overreach?” he asked.
Dickson also took aim at the tone of Tinubu’s Democracy Day address. Though he acknowledged its elegance, he said the speech lacked substance and relevance to the present political reality.
“President Tinubu’s speech was beautifully written, but his silence on Rivers betrays a troubling disregard for the rule of law,” he said.
In deflecting accusations of political bias, Dickson stressed that his concerns were not rooted in partisanship.
“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 said.
He warned that allowing the crisis to fester could set a dangerous precedent for other states.
“If Rivers can be treated this way today, what stops it from being Lagos or Kano tomorrow?”
The senator drew parallels with events during the general elections, citing Lagos as an example of power being wielded without restraint.
“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.”
Calling on citizens to resist any erosion of democratic principles, Dickson urged Nigerians to remember the true meaning of June 12.
“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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As the Rivers political crisis unfolds, Dickson’s remarks are a rallying cry for vigilance in defence of constitutional governance.
