“You cannot preach democracy and practice autocracy,” –Senator Dickson Slams Tinubu

Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, on Thursday condemned President Bola Tinubu’s silence on the political turmoil in Rivers State.

He asserted that democracy is supposed to inspire hope, but what happened at the joint session of the national assembly on Thursday in the Senate “was a direct assault on that hope.” Maintaining that “President Tinubu’s speech was beautifully written, but his silence on Rivers betrays a troubling disregard for the rule of law.”

According to him, the lack of words or actions by the President could be seen as a dangerous affront to democracy.

He shared his thoughts while speaking to journalists shortly after a joint session of the National Assembly convened to mark Democracy Day. Investigative journalism courses

Dickson did not mince words in his criticism of both the Senate’s conduct and the President’s perceived inaction.

“Let me start by saying Happy Democracy Day to all Nigerians, even though one might ask: are we truly happy?” Dickson said.

“Democracy is supposed to inspire hope, but what we saw today in the Senate was a direct assault on that hope.”

At the core of his concern was a communication from President Tinubu regarding the political situation in Rivers State.

The message was read aloud during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, a move Dickson found highly symbolic and troubling.

“It’s deeply ironic that on a day meant to celebrate the triumph of civil authority, the Senate is endorsing actions that undermine the Constitution,” Dickson noted. “Why read this communication today, of all days, if not to send a chilling message about federal overreach?”

The senator went further, accusing the presidency of hypocrisy in its approach to governance.

“You cannot preach democracy and practice autocracy,” he said.

“President Tinubu’s speech was beautifully written, but his silence on Rivers betrays a troubling disregard for the rule of law.”

He emphasized that the issue transcended party politics or personal loyalties.