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.
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