As part of his response to the Nigerian President’s Democracy Day address to a joint session of the National Assembly yesterday, June 12, 2025, the senator representing Bayelsa West in the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, said that as long as any part of Nigeria is under military rule, as in the case in Rivers State, democracy is endangered in the whole of Nigeria.
Senator Dickson criticised Tinubu’s failure to address the situation in Rivers State during his address, as he missed a golden opportunity to uphold constitutional order and reassure Nigerians of his democratic credentials.
Dickson argued that the Federal Government’s action, including what he described as the “imposition of a military-style administration in Rivers State”, was not only unconstitutional but also had set a dangerous precedent that could backfire in other states.
“This is not about Fubara. It’s not about the party. It’s about the democratic rights of the people of Rivers State under the Constitution.”
“Today it’s Rivers. Tomorrow it could be Lagos. It could be Kano. “If we set this precedent, we endanger democracy everywhere,” he said.
Senator Dickson said he, along with some of his colleagues, were disappointed and ashamed of the actions of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to allow such undemocratic communications from the Presidency to be read and accepted on Democracy Day on the floor of the Senate, calling it a “disrespect” to the spirit of the occasion.
“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. The majority cannot trample on minority rights. That is not democracy. The Majority can have its way, but the Minority must have its say.”
