Democracy Day: Dickson Faults Tinubu’s Silence On Rivers Disaster

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 Tinubu’s silence on the disaster throughout his Democracy Day deal with.

Talking to journalists after the joint session of the Nationwide Meeting to mark Nigeria’s twenty sixth Democracy Day anniversary, Dickson expressed deep disappointment over the President’s failure to deal with what he known as the “unconstitutional governance” at present enjoying out in Rivers.

“Let me start by wishing Nigerians a Glad Democracy Day, though one may ask—are Nigerians actually completely satisfied as we speak?” he stated. “Nonetheless, democracy is about hope—hope for a greater tomorrow. However what we witnessed as we speak within the Senate chamber was a mockery of that hope.”

Dickson recalled how President Tinubu’s communication on political appointments in Rivers State was learn throughout plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, after which he tried to boost a constitutional level of order.

“My proper as a Senator to boost a constitutional matter was fully ignored. The Senate President rushed by the President’s communication and brushed apart my intervention,” he stated.

“That could be a blatant suppression and disrespect for parliamentary privilege. The bulk could have their method, however the minority will need to have its say.”

The previous Bayelsa State governor described the communication from the President as an try to entrench “unconstitutional navy rule” in Rivers State, warning that such actions are incompatible with the values of Democracy Day.

“It’s troubling that, on a day meant to rejoice civil rule and justice, the Senate selected to learn an undemocratic communication with out problem,” he said. “Why select as we speak—of all days—to endorse actions that clearly violate the Structure?”

Whereas acknowledging the President’s Democracy Day speech as “flowery and spectacular in tone,” Dickson stated there was a obvious disconnect between Tinubu’s phrases and the present political realities in states like Rivers.

“You can’t declare to be a democrat on paper and trample on democracy in follow,” he stated. “The President missed a golden alternative as we speak to revive constitutional order in Rivers.”

Dickson rejected claims that his stance was primarily based on political affiliations, noting that his place was rooted within the protection of the Nigerian Structure.

“This isn’t about Governor Fubara or any celebration,” he stated. “It’s in regards to the individuals of Rivers State and the sanctity of our democratic establishments. Immediately, it’s Rivers. Tomorrow, it might be Lagos or Kano.”

He warned that setting a precedent the place elected state officers may be undermined from the federal degree would endanger Nigeria’s democracy throughout all areas.

“What occurred in Lagos in the course of the elections was an influence seize. What is going on in Rivers is a continuation of that pattern. We can not construct democracy on a basis of repression and silence.”

The senator concluded by calling on all Nigerians—no matter political alignment—to talk up and defend the democratic values for which many paid the last word value in the course of the June 12 wrestle.

“This isn’t nearly one state,” he stated. “It’s about defending our democracy for each Nigerian—north, south, east, and west. We owe it to those that fought, and we owe it to future generations to do higher.”