The senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson, has insisted that President Bola Tinubu must be told the unvarnished truth about Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation, rejecting moves by some lawmakers to commend the president despite escalating nationwide attacks.
Dickson said: “Today, the Senate had an elaborate discussion on the security situation in the country, which has worsened in the last few weeks.” He noted that when recognised to speak, he reminded the Senate President that he had earlier raised concerns over the need for the chamber to act collectively. “I added that it was good the matter had come up by way of a motion.”
He described the scale of killings, abductions, and the murder of military officers—including a Brigadier-General—as evidence of a national crisis. “The way terrorists are abducting students, with bandits attacking several States at the same time, are situations that even nations at war do not experience.”
According to him, Nigeria’s democracy and national stability are now directly threatened. “It is very clear that not only our democracy is under threat, but the nation itself is being reduced, belittled, and threatened.”
Dickson criticised the tone of the debate and what he described as politically motivated remarks from members of the majority party, arguing that they failed to match the seriousness of the insecurity crisis. He said he was prevented from concluding his contribution, but his message remained clear: the president must be confronted with reality—not praise.
“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,” he said.
He stressed that only honesty and accountability can address the crisis: “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 warned against “sugarcoating” or offering politically convenient narratives, describing such behaviour as “unnecessary hypocrisy and disservice to the country and even to the president.”
He reminded the chamber of its constitutional role. “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.”
According to him, Nigerians enduring attacks, displacement and trauma deserve sincere leadership. “They are wondering what their leaders and their government are doing.”
Concluding, he said any attempt to commend the president at this critical moment is misplaced. “If things have been so well done, we would not be where we are today. How will the victims, the soldiers fighting, the victims of kidnap and families of those killed feel?”
