‘Insensitive, provocative’ — Seriake Dickson criticises senate for commending Tinubu’s security efforts

Seriake Dickson, senator representing Bayelsa west, has condemned the senate’s commendation of President Bola Tinubu’s security efforts.

Dickson said the commendation is “provocative” and “ill-timed”, adding that Nigerians are under attack and deserve honesty from their leaders.

The former governor of Bayelsa and a retired police officer said Tinubu should be told the truth about the worsening insecurity in the country.

On Wednesday, the senate reaffirmed its support for Tinubu after a debate on the security situation in the country.

It also commended the president for efforts made so far to tackle insecurity.

In a statement after plenary, Dickson said the rise in school kidnappings, attacks on communities and the killing of soldiers, including a brigadier-general, showed that Nigeria is facing a situation “even nations at war do not experience”.

He added that the crisis threatens not only democracy but the nation’s survival.

Dickson faulted lawmakers who called for the president to be commended over security efforts, saying such praise is “ill-timed, insensitive and provocative”.

“It is very clear that not only our democracy is under threat, but the nation itself is being reduced, belittled, and threatened,” he said.

“I believe that the president needs to be told the truth. There should be no sugar-coating or unnecessary political correctness.

“I do not agree with the request in the motion, supported by the majority of speakers from the majority party, that the President and the government should be commended. I disagree with it.

“As I said, we are the Senate of the Federal Republic with powers to oversight the President and the military, including the ministers and the security leaders. And that we must do.

“That is our responsibility to the nation and the people of Nigeria who are presently under attack, displaced, traumatised, killed and apprehensive.”

He said senators must focus on oversight of defence spending to ensure appropriated funds are used effectively by the security agencies.

The lawmaker also called for investigations into the withdrawal of soldiers from Kebbi and into the killing of Musa Uba, a brigadier general, by ISWAP fighters.

Dickson accused Godswill Akpabio, senate president, of repeatedly attempting to stop him from expressing his views, but said he would not be deterred.

“No senator is under obligation to say things the way and how the senate president wants it,” he said.

“We will not give up until people learn that in a democracy, the majority may have their way but the minority must have their say.”

He condoled with the families of security personnel and civilians who have lost their lives, and urged “strong political will and decisive leadership” to address the country’s insecurity.