Ayodele Olalere
The Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Seriake Dickson has expressed disappointment in President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech that was silent on ending the emergency rule in Rivers State and restoring Governor Siminalayi Fubara as governor.
While reacting to the president’s address, on Thursday, at a joint session of the National assembly, Senator Dickson noted that President Tinubu could have used the Democracy Day celebration to restore Governor Fubara, adding that his failing to do so meant the President ‘missed a golden chance to restore democracy ‘ in the state.
“It’s debatable whether Nigerians are happy on Democracy Day. What I can say is that they should not lose hope because democracy is about tomorrow.
“At the floor of the House, the President’s communication was read by the Senate President. I rose to make a Point of Order, which I am entitled to do as a senator, but the Senate president didn’t pay attention and refused to respond. That is another blatant disrespect for my rights and privileges,” Senator Dickson said.
He added: “The President’s communications were about deepening undemocratic rule in Rivers State where you have a military administration in a democracy we are celebrating. Why did the President and Senate President choose today to read all those undemocratic illegal communications? That shows how low the APC has reduced Nigerian democracy to.
“The President’s speech is unflowering. It’s a beautiful thing to make a declaration of principles on one hand. What matters is action. The President did the right thing recognising those that fought for democracy. I was among those in the trenches during the struggle. However, you cannot be celebrating democracy on one hand and on the other hand be trampling democracy under your big presidential foot in Rivers State.”
He spoke further: “President Bola Tinubu missed a golden opportunity to raise democracy in Nigeria by restoring democracy and normal civilian rule in Rivers State. Of all the things the president said, he was silent about Rivers State. Today is about Democracy Day and upholding democratic rights and not the suppression of the people of Rivers.
“I am disappointed the president never said a word about the undemocratic development in Rivers, which he has enabled and brought about and created an impression that all is well. As long as any part of Nigeria is under military rule, democracy is endangered in Nigeria as a whole.”
