The Nigerian Senate has dissolved its standing committees on Air Force, National Security and Intelligence with immediate effect. New committees are to be reconstituted within one week as part of a structural overhaul.
A day after, former governor and sitting Senator, Seriake Dickson, urged his colleagues to avoid hypocrisy and tell President Bola Tinubu the truth concerning the security crisis in the country.
The sack of Senate committees comes after the Opeyemi Bamidele (Senate Leader) voiced strong dissatisfaction with the committees’ performance, arguing their oversight on security matters had been inadequate.
At the same time, the Senate ordered the chairmen of its standing committees on Army, Navy, Defence, Interior and Police Affairs to appear before the Senate in closed-door session within one week. They are required to present detailed briefings on what measures they have taken to curtail insecurity nationwide — and provide justification for why their committees should remain in place.
In addition, the Senate launched a formal investigation into the reported withdrawal of security personnel from the school in Kebbi State shortly before a bandit attack. The joint investigative committee — comprising the committees on Army, Defence, Police Affairs, Interior and Special Duties — is expected to submit a report within two weeks.
The chamber also ordered a probe into the killing of Musa Uba (Brigadier-General), tasked to the same joint committee, with findings likewise due within the two-week period.
Beyond the internal restructuring and investigations, the Senate resolved that its leadership should meet immediately with Bola Tinubu to brief him on the outcomes of its security debate.
Finally, lawmakers agreed to pursue diplomatic engagement with the United States as part of a broader push to mobilise international support to address the escalating security challenges confronting Nigeria.
In a fiery intervention during Tuesday’s plenary, the Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, warned his colleagues against what he described as “unnecessary hypocrisy” and “political sugarcoating” in assessing Nigeria’s worsening security situation. He urged members—especially those in the majority party—to speak frankly to President Bola Tinubu about the true state of affairs in the country.
Dickson, who later issued a detailed statement, said the Senate’s debate on national security came at a moment when “the situation in the country… has worsened in the last few weeks.” According to him, the scale of killings, abductions and coordinated attacks across states “are situations that even nations at war do not experience.”
“It is very clear that not only our democracy is under threat,” he said, “but the nation itself is being reduced, belittled, and threatened.”
The former Bayelsa governor strongly opposed a motion—supported mostly by senators from the majority party—which sought to commend President Tinubu and the security agencies.
“I do not agree with the request in the motion… that the President and the government should be commended,” he declared. “I believe that the President needs to be told the truth… The seriousness of the matter is such that there should be no sugarcoating.”
He added that such praise would be “ill-timed, insensitive and even provocative,” arguing that it does nothing to help victims or frontline personnel.
“If things have been so well done, we would not be where we are today,” Dickson said. “How will the victims, the soldiers fighting, the victims of kidnap and families of those killed feel?”
Dickson noted that some lawmakers supporting the commendation “cannot visit their communities or their senatorial districts because of insecurity and killings.”
The senator urged those with direct access to President Tinubu to provide honest assessments of the realities on the ground.
“Mr President must be told that the nation is at war as we are losing our security personnel, our citizens, and our territories,” he warned. “Our reputation is being ridiculed and our democracy and nation are endangered.”
He argued that Nigeria needs “frankness, strong political will and decisive leadership,” not flattery.
Calls for Investigations into Military Decisions
Dickson backed the Senate’s resolution to probe the withdrawal of military personnel from Kebbi State as well as the abduction and killing of Brigadier General Uba by ISWAP.
“We must strengthen oversight and ensure that the trillions budgeted are used for the purpose for which they were approved,” he said. “Presidents over the years have released staggering sums of money to the military to fight terrorism.”
He emphasized that, as a member of the Committees on Defence and National Security, he is committed to ensuring accountability.
Dickson also accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of repeatedly trying to silence him during plenary.
“This is one of the many instances the Senate President has tried to prevent me from making my contributions to pressing national issues,” he said. “No senator is under obligation to say things the way and how the Senate President wants it.”
He insisted that referencing “the other side” was standard parliamentary language referring to the majority and minority benches—not an insult.
“The presiding officer is the first among equals who moderates as a colleague and not a boss,” he stated.
The senator pledged to continue speaking openly despite what he described as harassment.
“I remind the Senate President and assure the people that I won’t give up or give in,” Dickson said. “I will not be deterred. In fact, I am more determined that democracy, particularly multi-party democracy, must thrive in Nigeria against all odds.”
He closed with condolences to the families of fallen soldiers and all victims of insecurity, reiterating his support for a unified national response grounded in truth rather than political correctness.
“The times call for collaboration as well as honest opinion, advice and patriotism,” Dickson said. “The Senate must reflect the realities that may not be open to the President.”
