“You cannot preach democracy and practise autocracy. President Tinubu’s speech was eloquent, but his silence on Rivers betrays a troubling disregard for the rule of law.”
Sen. Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West and former governor of Bayelsa State, has accused President Bola Tinubu of aiding the erosion of democratic values in Rivers State, describing the unfolding political situation as a “military-style suppression of democracy.”
His remarks came on Thursday, 12 June 2025, shortly after the president’s address to a joint session of the national assembly to mark Democracy Day.
In a blistering post-session media interaction, Dickson condemned the president’s silence on the constitutional crisis in Rivers State, where he alleged that federal power was being used to override civil authority and undermine the rule of law.
While the president’s Democracy Day speech celebrated Nigeria’s journey from military rule to democratic governance, Dickson argued that the reality on the ground told a different story.
“Let me start by saying happy Democracy Day to all Nigerians, even though one might ask: are we truly happy?” Dickson began. “Democracy is supposed to inspire hope, but what we saw today in the Senate was a direct assault on that hope.”
“An irony on Democracy Day”
Dickson’s outrage was sparked by a communication from President Tinubu concerning developments in Rivers State earlier today, specifically the appointments of nominees into Rivers State Electoral Commission, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission and Rivers State Civil Service Commission which was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.
According to Dickson, his attempt to raise a constitutional point of order following the announcement was intentionally shut down.
“My right as a senator to raise a constitutional issue was completely disregarded,” he said. “The Senate President rushed through the President’s message and ignored my intervention. That’s not how democracy works. That’s how military regimes operate.”
Calling it an irony that the communication was read on Democracy Day, Dickson said it sent a “chilling message” about federal overreach and tacit endorsement of unconstitutional governance.
“It is deeply ironic that on a day meant to celebrate the triumph of civil authority, the senate is endorsing actions that undermine the Constitution. Why read this communication today, of all days, if not to send a message that constitutionalism can be suspended for convenience?”
While President Tinubu’s Democracy Day address paid tribute to the sacrifices of pro-democracy heroes such as MKO Abiola and Kudirat Abiola, Dickson criticised the administration’s actions as contrary to the values of June 12.
He described the speech as beautifully written but deeply disconnected from the political realities Nigerians currently face.
“You cannot preach democracy and practise autocracy. President Tinubu’s speech was eloquent, but his silence on Rivers betrays a troubling disregard for the rule of law.”
He further accused the administration of attempting to legitimise an unconstitutional power structure in Rivers State, likening the current arrangement to “military rule enabled and sustained by the federal government.”
“You cannot be flaunting yourself as a democrat on the one hand and trampling democracy under your big presidential foot on the other,” Dickson added. “We are celebrating democracy today, and yet, in Rivers State, we are under military rule.”
Dickson insisted that his criticism was not politically motivated or partisan. Rather, he described it as a principled stand in defence of democratic rights, warning that the precedent being set in Rivers could undermine democracy across the federation.
“This is not about Fubara. It’s not about party. It’s about the democratic rights of the people of Rivers State under the Constitution. Today it is Rivers. Tomorrow it could be Lagos. It could be Kano. If we set this precedent, we endanger democracy everywhere,” he lamented.
He criticised the National Assembly particularly the Senate President for allowing the President’s message to be accepted without debate or scrutiny, especially on a symbolic day like June 12.
Dickson described the action as a “disrespect” to the memory of Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
“I have the right as a senator to raise a point of order and be heard. This is not about numbers. It’s about principle. Majorities cannot trample minority rights. That is not democracy.”
Dickson, who acknowledged his maternal roots in Ijebu, warned that the continued centralisation of power and disregard for constitutional authority would not go unchallenged.
He called on the federal government to urgently restore civil governance in Rivers State and for President Tinubu to live up to the democratic ideals he once championed.
“Words don’t show democratic commitment. Actions do. Actions and actions. No one can monopolise power forever,” he added.
The senator issued a rallying call to Nigerians across party lines, ethnicities, and regions to rise in defence of democratic institutions.
“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.”
Parliament Reports recalls that on 20 March 2025, a sharp disagreement erupted in the senate between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Sen. Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) over the procedure for debating President Tinubu’s state of emergency proclamation in Rivers State.
Tensions flared when Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved to amend the order paper to prioritise debate on the emergency rule. Dickson raised a point of order, urging the chamber to first hold a closed-door session due to the sensitivity of the issue.
Akpabio initially refused to recognise Dickson and ordered his microphone turned off, accusing him of taking a prior public stance. Dickson insisted on his right to be heard, calling for mutual respect.
Eventually, Akpabio relented, noting the Senate Leader was already moving in that direction. The incident foreshadowed Dickson’s Democracy Day criticism of the federal government’s role in the Rivers crisis and what he described as a creeping suppression of democracy.
