Political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has commended Senator Seriake Dickson for his fearless stand against anti-democratic actions under the current administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Frank praised the Senator representing Bayelsa West for openly criticizing the administration’s silence on the crisis in Rivers State during the Democracy Day joint session of the National Assembly. He lauded Dickson’s condemnation of what he described as a creeping dictatorship, including the unlawful suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as the Senate’s consideration of requests from the controversial “Sole Administrator” of the state.
Senator Dickson, a former governor and current member of the PDP, had raised concerns about the erosion of democratic principles in Rivers State, and faulted Senate President Godswill Akpabio for suppressing dissent by denying him the opportunity to raise a point of order on the floor of the Senate.
Timi Frank described Dickson as “a true defender of democracy,” praising him for standing firm where others have remained silent.
“Senator Dickson spoke the truth when others chose cowardice and silence. He reminded us of what true opposition and patriotic leadership look like,” Frank said.
He said the Democracy Day celebrations rang hollow when a whole state is allegedly being run under a constitutional aberration. Frank warned that the increasing suppression of dissent, intimidation of opposition members, and one-party tendencies pose grave danger to Nigeria’s democratic future.
“What we are seeing is not democracy but a dangerous slide into autocracy. But Senator Dickson has shown that some voices will not be silenced,” Frank declared.
He expressed concern that the Minority Caucus in the National Assembly has been compromised, noting that the current Minority Leader has failed to speak out against anti-democratic policies.
“In a truly democratic environment, Senator Dickson should be leading the minority in the Senate. He has shown courage and principle—qualities that are now rare in Nigerian politics.”
Frank also warned that there may be attempts to punish Senator Dickson for his outspokenness, as seen in past crackdowns on dissenting lawmakers, but urged him to remain resolute.
“He may stand alone in the Senate, but the Nigerian people are with him. History and posterity will remember his voice of truth.”
He concluded by urging other patriotic leaders to rise in defense of democracy, stressing that no government is above the people.
“Governments come and go, but the will of the people endures. Those who side with oppression today will answer to the judgment of history tomorrow,” Frank said.
