The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday, condemned what he described as a military-style suppression of democracy in Rivers State and criticised President Bola Tinubus silence on the crisis during his 2025 Democracy Day address. Speaking to journalists after the joint session of the National Assembly where President Tinubu delivered his address to mark Nigerias 26th Democracy Day anniversary, Dickson expressed deep disappointment over the Presidents failure to address what he called the unconstitutional governance currently playing out in Rivers State, which is under emergency rule. Let me begin by wishing Nigerians a Happy Democracy Day, even though one could askare Nigerians truly happy today? he said. Still, democracy is about hopehope 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, recalled how President Tinubus communication on political appointments made by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, was read during Thursdays plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, after which he attempted to raise a constitutional point of order. My right as a Senator to raise a constitutional matter was completely ignored. The Senate President rushed through the Presidents communication and brushed aside my intervention, That is a blatant suppression and disrespect for parliamentary privilege. The majority may have their way, but the minority must have its say.he said The former Bayelsa State governor described the communication from the President as an attempt to entrench unconstitutional military rule in Rivers State, warning that such actions were incompatible with the values of Democracy Day. It is troubling that, on a day meant to celebrate civil rule and justice, the Senate chose to read an undemocratic communication without challenge. Why choose today of all days to endorse actions that clearly violate the Constitution? While acknowledging the Presidents Democracy Day speech as flowery and impressive in tone, Dickson said there was a glaring disconnect between Tinubus words and the current political realities in states like Rivers. You cannot claim to be a democrat on paper and trample on democracy in practice. The President missed a golden opportunity today to restore constitutional order in Rivers.he said Dickson rejected claims that his stance was based on political affiliations, noting that his position was rooted in the defense of the Nigerian Constitution. This is not about Governor Fubara or any party, he said. It is about the people of Rivers State and the sanctity of our democratic institutions. Today, it is Rivers. Tomorrow, it could be Lagos or Kano. He warned that setting a precedent where elected state officials can be undermined from the federal level would endanger Nigerias democracy across all regions. 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 democracy on a foundation of repression and silence. he said The post You cannot be celebrating democracy and trampling your big presidential foot in Rivers state- Senator Dickson Seriake knocks Tinubu for failing to reinstate Fubara appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.You cannot be celebrating democracy and trampling your big presidential foot in Rivers state- Senator Dickson Seriake knocks Tinubu for failing to reinstate Fubara
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday, condemned what he described as a military-style suppression of democracy in Rivers State and criticised President Bola Tinubus silence on the crisis during his 2025 Democracy Day address. Speaking to journalists after the joint session of the National Assembly where President Tinubu delivered his address to mark Nigerias 26th Democracy Day anniversary, Dickson expressed deep disappointment over the Presidents failure to address what he called the unconstitutional governance currently playing out in Rivers State, which is under emergency rule. Let me begin by wishing Nigerians a Happy Democracy Day, even though one could askare Nigerians truly happy today? he said. Still, democracy is about hopehope 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, recalled how President Tinubus communication on political appointments made by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, was read during Thursdays plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, after which he attempted to raise a constitutional point of order. My right as a Senator to raise a constitutional matter was completely ignored. The Senate President rushed through the Presidents communication and brushed aside my intervention, That is a blatant suppression and disrespect for parliamentary privilege. The majority may have their way, but the minority must have its say.he said The former Bayelsa State governor described the communication from the President as an attempt to entrench unconstitutional military rule in Rivers State, warning that such actions were incompatible with the values of Democracy Day. It is troubling that, on a day meant to celebrate civil rule and justice, the Senate chose to read an undemocratic communication without challenge. Why choose today of all days to endorse actions that clearly violate the Constitution? While acknowledging the Presidents Democracy Day speech as flowery and impressive in tone, Dickson said there was a glaring disconnect between Tinubus words and the current political realities in states like Rivers. You cannot claim to be a democrat on paper and trample on democracy in practice. The President missed a golden opportunity today to restore constitutional order in Rivers.he said Dickson rejected claims that his stance was based on political affiliations, noting that his position was rooted in the defense of the Nigerian Constitution. This is not about Governor Fubara or any party, he said. It is about the people of Rivers State and the sanctity of our democratic institutions. Today, it is Rivers. Tomorrow, it could be Lagos or Kano. He warned that setting a precedent where elected state officials can be undermined from the federal level would endanger Nigerias democracy across all regions. 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 democracy on a foundation of repression and silence. he said The post You cannot be celebrating democracy and trampling your big presidential foot in Rivers state- Senator Dickson Seriake knocks Tinubu for failing to reinstate Fubara appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.
