The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has strongly criticized recent comments by Senator Seriake Dickson, accusing him of unfairly attacking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the political situation in Rivers State.
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, had during his Democracy Day remarks accused President Tinubu of maintaining a “complicit silence” in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers.
But in a swift response issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Nneamaka Okafor, Lokpobiri described the comments as regrettable and unbefitting of a statesman.
“It is 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 our region in just one year than many did in decades,” Lokpobiri said.
He emphasized that President Tinubu’s democratic credentials are well established, tracing his legacy back to the early 1990s when he resisted military rule at great personal cost, including exile.
Lokpobiri argued that questioning Tinubu’s commitment to democratic values is “revisionist and unbecoming.”
Highlighting strides made under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, Lokpobiri listed a series of key interventions in the Niger Delta, including:
Implementation of the Host Community Development Trusts to ensure direct benefits for oil-producing communities.
Acceleration of the Ogoni cleanup project, now backed by stronger political will and funding.
Establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET) in Ogoni, aimed at boosting education and environmental research.
Ongoing reconstruction of strategic sections of the East-West Road and other vital infrastructure projects.
Inclusion of Niger Delta indigenes in prominent federal appointments, signaling inclusive governance.
Presidential pardon and national recognition of the Ogoni 9, described as a step towards justice and reconciliation.
Improved regional security and a reduction in pipeline vandalism, leading to increased oil output and investor confidence.
“It is uncharitable for Senator Dickson to ignore these visible gains and attempt to distract from the President’s developmental agenda,” Lokpobiri added. “He should know, more than most, the state of the Niger Delta before this administration took over. Today, our region is more peaceful, more empowered, and more hopeful.”
On the Rivers State political crisis, Lokpobiri cautioned against using the situation to score political points.
He reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s adherence to constitutional order and preference for dialogue over imposition.
“While Senator Dickson has every right to express his opinion, it is imperative he does so with statesmanship and context. The Niger Delta needs unity and collaboration, not political grandstanding,” he said.
He called on leaders from the region to support President Tinubu’s vision for national renewal, rather than engaging in what he termed “politicizing progress.”
“History will favour those who build, not those who tear down,” Lokpobiri concluded.
