Timi Frank, the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has praised Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the former governor of Bayelsa State, for denouncing the anti-democratic policies of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Shortly after President Tinubu’s State of the Nation Address to a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, Dickson was said to have criticized the current administration’s anti-democratic stance, particularly with regard to Rivers State.
Dickson chastised Tinubu for failing to bring up the state of emergency he declared in Rivers State, the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and the suspension of every member of the State House of Assembly from March 2025.
Frank praised Dickson in a statement released on Friday for his bravery and patriotism in pointing out the absurdity of the executive and legislative branches celebrating Democracy Day with much pomp when a state in the nation is ruled by the military.
He hailed Dickson as a hero and a modern-day champion of democracy in the nation for his valiant resistance against Tinubu’s imposed democratic aberration in Rivers State.
He said Dickson’s moral position in denouncing Tinubu’s administration’s undemocratic inclinations will live on in the memory of future generations.
Frank bemoaned the fact that Tinubu’s administration and the APC embrace authoritarianism, impunity, and one-party control over democracy and the rule of law.
“Senator Dickson played the role of a true opposition by speaking the minds of ordinary Nigerians,” he remarked. He made me proud as an Ijaw son in addition to being a Nigerian citizen.
As a Bayelsan, he has made me proud. As a son from the Niger Delta, he has made me proud, and by speaking up against those who are undermining our democracy and the nation, he has made the entire nation proud.
“He bravely came out to speak the truth at a time when so many Nigerian politicians who cut across party lines have turned into political cowards and sycophants.”
He will be remembered by future generations for his morally upright position denouncing the Tinubu administration’s undemocratic inclinations.
“History will never forget him because he was the only one who faced the reality and the actual state of our democracy at a time when Nigerians looked to leaders, particularly those in government, to speak the truth.
Dickson’s actions are comparable to those of lawmakers in other democracies, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and even South Africa, when they confront the president with the reality and expectations of the populace. Although it may appear that he is by himself, we want him to know that the Nigerian people are behind him.
“Nigeria and the world are with him, and we are encouraging him to do more by being fearless as usual, even if his colleagues across party lines may not support him because he is cowardly in his attempt to save our democracy.”
Frank went on to claim that other National Assembly members knew Tinubu’s speech was heavily skewed toward propaganda and lies during the joint session, but they nevertheless praised the president out of sycophancy.
He went on to say, “We are aware that there may be plans to suspend Dickson for his actions, similar to what the Senate did to other senators who have previously stood up for the truth, but let him not be alarmed because God and Nigerians will defend him.”
He would be better off siding with God and the majority than with the demonic and wicked authorities who are trying to sabotage Nigeria’s democracy.
“It is disheartening that the Senate’s minority caucus has been completely undermined, as the minority leader should have taken Dickson’s action if there had been a robust opposition.”
