INSECURITY: Senator Seriake Dickson says senate must tell President Tinubu the Truth — not offer commendations
Abuja — Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West and a member of both the Senate Committee on Defence and the Committee on National Security, has criticised the Senate’s move to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on security efforts, describing the proposal as “ill-timed” and “insensitive.”
The senator’s reaction followed Tuesday’s plenary, where lawmakers debated the rising wave of attacks, abductions, and killings across several states. Recent media reports had also highlighted Dickson’s objections, noting that he warned colleagues against politicising a matter that has pushed many communities into fear and displacement.
Dickson recalled previously drawing the Senate President’s attention to the nation’s deteriorating security climate, stressing that the escalation of violence — including the killing of civilians, officers, and a Brigadier General — demanded sober, honest assessment rather than partisan commendation. He described the current level of insecurity as one “even nations at war do not experience.”
He expressed concern that the tone of the motion, especially comments from members of the majority party, appeared more political than factual. According to him, such an approach “does not match the seriousness of the national crisis,” adding that the Senate President cut him short before he could conclude his remarks.
The senator maintained that Nigeria’s security failures should not be masked by praise. He argued that the President deserves truthful briefings from those around him, not sugarcoated narratives. “Anything else amounts to hypocrisy and a disservice to the country,” he said.
Dickson reminded his colleagues that the Senate has constitutional authority to provide oversight on the Executive, the Armed Forces, and all security agencies. He questioned how legislators whose constituencies suffer frequent attacks — with some districts reportedly under the control of terrorists — could support commendation at such a moment. He said the priority should instead be solidarity with victims and frontline soldiers.
He also called for a deeper probe into defence spending, noting that trillions of naira have been allocated over the years with insufficient results to show in manpower, equipment, and morale. Dickson warned of a “bottomless war economy” benefiting from the ongoing crisis, asking why Nigerian troops perform strongly in missions abroad but remain unable to defeat domestic terror groups.
The senator further clarified that his reference to “the other side” was standard parliamentary language referring to majority and minority benches, contrary to the interpretation made by the Senate President.
Dickson supported the Senate’s resolution to investigate allegations surrounding the withdrawal of military personnel from Kebbi State and the circumstances leading to the capture and killing of Brigadier General Uba by ISWAP. He extended condolences to families of all fallen troops and victims of insecurity.
Concluding his remarks, Dickson criticised the Senate President for repeatedly attempting to silence his contributions on critical national issues. He insisted he would not be intimidated. “The majority may have their way, but the minority must have their say,” he said, vowing to continue defending robust debate and multiparty democracy.
By: Benita Ibrahim
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