“You Cannot Claim to Be a Democrat on Paper and Trample on Democracy in Practice” — Dickson Blasts Tinubu, Akpabio Over Rivers Crisis on Democracy Day

Bayelsa West Senator Seriake Dickson has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing them of undermining democratic principles in Rivers State while publicly celebrating Nigeria’s 26th Democracy Day. Speaking after the joint National Assembly session on Thursday, Dickson condemned what he called a “military-style suppression of democracy” and slammed the President’s silence on the Rivers political crisis during his Democracy Day address.

Dickson, a former Bayelsa State governor, expressed alarm over the federal government’s recognition of political appointments made by a Sole Administrator in Rivers State—an action he described as unconstitutional and reflective of emergency rule. He also alleged that his attempt to raise a constitutional point of order during the plenary was deliberately ignored by Senate President Akpabio.

He argued that the Senate’s actions, especially on Democracy Day, sent a troubling message. “You cannot claim to be a democrat on paper and trample on democracy in practice,” Dickson said, adding that the President missed a crucial opportunity to defend constitutional order.

The Senator maintained that his concerns were not partisan but rooted in the defense of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. He warned that the situation in Rivers could set a dangerous precedent, potentially affecting other states if left unchecked. “Today, it is Rivers. Tomorrow, it could be Lagos or Kano,” he said.

Calling on all Nigerians to uphold the values of democracy, Dickson urged citizens to remain vigilant in protecting hard-won democratic freedoms. “This is not just about one state,” he said. “It is about protecting our democracy for every Nigerian—north, south, east, and west.”