Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, has strongly criticized his Senate colleagues for commending President Bola Tinubu on security matters while Nigeria faces escalating violence and abductions across the nation.
Truth Over Flattery in Security Crisis
During the Senate plenary session on Wednesday, November 27, 2025, Dickson warned against what he termed "sugarcoating" the harsh realities of Nigeria's security situation. He emphasized that the time had come for political leaders to rise above political correctness and sycophancy when addressing the nation's pressing security challenges.
"I believe that the President needs to be told the truth, and that those with access to him, particularly from the majority party and others, should tell the President the true situation of things," Dickson stated firmly during his address.
The senator described the motion to commend President Tinubu as "ill-timed and insensitive" given the current climate of widespread banditry, insurgency, and violent crimes affecting countless Nigerian families.
Constituencies Under Terrorist Control
Dickson revealed the alarming extent of the security breakdown, noting that many senators can no longer safely visit their constituencies due to the dangerous conditions. He painted a grim picture of districts where terrorists have established parallel governments and imposed various forms of taxation on local populations.
"How will the victims, the soldiers fighting, the victims of kidnap and families of those killed feel?" he questioned, highlighting the emotional impact such commendations would have on those directly affected by violence.
The senator stressed that the Senate's responsibility extends beyond mere expressions of support to providing genuine oversight and accountability for the trillions of naira allocated to military and security agencies over the years.
Confrontation with Senate Leadership
Dickson also addressed his ongoing tensions with the Senate President, accusing him of deliberately misinterpreting his comments during the debate. He clarified that his reference to "the other side" was a standard parliamentary term referring to majority or minority parties, not an inflammatory statement.
"This is one of the many instances the Senate President has tried to prevent me from making my contributions to pressing national issues," Dickson asserted, vowing not to be intimidated into silence.
He reminded the chamber that in a healthy democracy, "the majority may have their way but the minority must have their say," emphasizing his commitment to continue speaking truth to power regardless of pressure.
The senator concluded by calling for specific investigations into the recent withdrawal of military personnel from Kebbi State and the circumstances surrounding the killing of Major General U. A. Uba by ISWAP terrorists, while extending condolences to all families affected by Nigeria's security crisis.
