The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has strongly condemned what he described as a “military-style suppression of democracy” in Rivers State, criticizing President Bola Tinubu for remaining silent on the issue during his 2025 Democracy Day address.

Speaking to journalists after the joint session of the National Assembly, where President Tinubu delivered his speech marking Nigeria’s 26th Democracy Day, Dickson expressed deep disappointment over the President’s failure to address what he termed the “unconstitutional governance” unfolding in Rivers State, currently under what he described as emergency rule.

“Let me begin by wishing Nigerians a Happy Democracy Day though one must ask: are Nigerians truly happy today?” he said. “Democracy is meant to inspire hope. But what we witnessed in the Senate chamber today was a mockery of that hope.”

Dickson, a former Governor of Bayelsa State, recounted how President Tinubu’s communication endorsing political appointments made by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State was read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. When Dickson attempted to raise a constitutional point of order, he said his intervention was shut down.

“My right as a Senator to raise a constitutional matter was completely ignored. The Senate President rushed through the President’s communication and brushed aside my objection. That is a blatant suppression of parliamentary privilege,” he said. “The majority may have their way, but the minority must have its say.”

Dickson condemned the President’s communication as an attempt to entrench unconstitutional, military-style governance in Rivers State, warning that such actions are in direct contradiction to the principles Democracy Day is meant to uphold.

“It is troubling that on a day meant to celebrate civil rule and justice, the Senate read and accepted an undemocratic communication without challenge. Why today, of all days, to endorse actions that clearly violate the Constitution?”

While acknowledging that President Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech was “flowery and impressive in tone,” Dickson said it lacked sincerity in light of ongoing political crises across the country.

“You cannot claim to be a democrat in words while trampling on democratic principles in action. The President missed a golden opportunity to restore constitutional order in Rivers today.”

Dismissing suggestions that his stance was politically motivated, Dickson emphasized that his position is rooted in the defense of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

“This is not about Governor Fubara or any political party,” he said. “It’s about protecting the will of the people and the sanctity of our Constitution. Today it is Rivers. Tomorrow, it could be Lagos or Kano.”

He concluded with a stark warning about the broader implications of federal interference in state affairs:

“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.”