June 12 Day: Any part of Nigeria Under Military Rule Endangers Democracy in the whole of Nigeria – Senator Dickson
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 has 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 criticized 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 actions including what he described as the “imposition of a military-style administration in Rivers State”, were not only unconstitutional but had also set a dangerous precedent that could backfire in other states.
“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’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 disappointment 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. Majority cannot trample on minority rights. That is not democracy. The Majority can have its way but the Minority must have its say”.
