Lokpobiri slams Dickson over comments attacking Tinubu
By Idun Maximus
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has slammed the Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, over comments attacking President Bola Tinubu.
Dickson had on Democracy Day in a press conference, attacked Tinubu, alleging silence and complicity on the part of the President in the political situation in Rivers State.
Lokpobiri, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Nneamaka Okafor, noted that Dickson’s comments were not only regrettable but an unfair attack on a leader whose commitment to democracy and regional development is evident in both history and action.
He said it was disheartening that on a day set aside to celebrate Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy, a fellow Niger Deltan chose to downplay the tireless efforts of a President who has done more for the Niger Delta region in just one year than many did in decades.
“Rather than offering constructive support for the ongoing democratic and developmental gains under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Dickson has chosen to mischaracterize the actions of a leader whose commitment to constitutional order, democratic ideals, and the development of the Niger Delta and Nigeria is beyond question’’, he said.
Lokpobiri, who acknowledged President Tinubu’s contribution to the democratic struggle through resistance, sacrificing personal freedom, enduring exile, and standing firm against tyranny, stressed that questioning his democratic credentials was therefore both revisionist and unbecoming of any serious statesman.
He listed the transformative projects in the Niger Delta region including, “the activation of the Host Community Development Trusts; accelerated cleanup of Ogoni Land; the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Ogoni; major infrastructure investments, including the reconstruction of critical sections of the East-West Road and other federal roads in the region; appointment of qualified Niger Delta indigenes to key positions, a clear signal of inclusive governance; the historic Presidential pardon and national recognition of the Ogoni 9, reaffirming President Tinubu’s commitment to justice, reconciliation, and national healing, and stabilization of security and reduction in pipeline vandalism, leading to increased oil output and investor confidence in the region.”
Lokpobiri noted that it was uncharitable for Senator Dickson to ignore the visible gains, and attempt to distract from the President’s developmental agenda.
He said the political issues in Rivers State, though sensitive, should not be weaponized to cast aspersions on the President’s integrity, adding that Nigeria is governed by laws, and the Tinubu administration has consistently respected constitutional order, choosing dialogue and legality over imposition.
“While Senator Dickson has every right to express his opinion, it is imperative that he does so with statesmanship and context. “The Niger Delta needs unity and collaboration, not political grandstanding. We should stand by a President who has stood by us. Rather than politicising progress, Senator Dickson should lend his experience and influence to support the national renewal project led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’’.
