Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has strongly defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in the face of criticism from former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson. The former governor had accused President Tinubu of remaining silent and complicit in the political crisis in Rivers State, a comment Lokpobiri described as regrettable and unfair.
Dickson made his remarks during Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebrations on June 12, alleging that Tinubu’s failure to speak out on the political tensions in Rivers State amounted to tacit approval. However, in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Nneamaka Okafor, Lokpobiri argued that the President’s track record on democracy and development, particularly in the Niger Delta, speaks for itself.
Lokpobiri criticized Dickson for using Democracy Day, a moment intended to honor Nigeria’s hard-won democratic gains, to launch what he called a political attack on a President who has shown tangible commitment to the region. He said it was disheartening that “a fellow Niger Deltan” would choose to misrepresent the efforts of a leader who, in his words, has done more for the Niger Delta in one year than others achieved in decades.
According to Lokpobiri, Tinubu has a proven legacy as a pro-democracy advocate. He recalled Tinubu’s involvement in the struggle against military rule in the early 1990s, including his exile and personal sacrifices to restore democratic governance in Nigeria. Lokpobiri said that questioning Tinubu’s democratic credentials was not only baseless but also dishonorable coming from a fellow political leader from the region.
He pointed to a series of initiatives under the President’s Renewed Hope agenda that are already yielding significant results in the Niger Delta. These include the activation of Host Community Development Trusts, giving oil-producing communities direct benefits from local resource extraction, and the accelerated environmental cleanup of Ogoni Land, which has seen increased funding and progress.
Lokpobiri also cited the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET) in Ogoni, the reconstruction of key infrastructure such as the East-West Road, and the appointment of qualified Niger Delta indigenes to prominent positions in government as evidence of the administration’s inclusive approach.
Additional efforts mentioned include improved security in the oil-producing areas, reduced pipeline vandalism, and increased oil production. He also highlighted the national recognition and presidential pardon of the Ogoni Nine, calling it a historic step toward justice and reconciliation.
The minister warned that the political tensions in Rivers State, while serious, should not be exploited for partisan attacks. He said President Tinubu’s response to governance issues has consistently reflected a commitment to constitutional order and the rule of law, and that the administration prefers legal and peaceful solutions over political interference.
Lokpobiri urged Senator Dickson to take a more constructive approach in national discourse, advising him to channel his experience into supporting development initiatives rather than “political grandstanding.” He said the Niger Delta needs unity and collaboration now more than ever and that any attempt to distract from the administration’s progress was both unhelpful and misleading.
“The region is more peaceful, more empowered, and more hopeful today,” Lokpobiri stated, adding that it is uncharitable for anyone—particularly someone from the Niger Delta—to ignore the visible gains already being made under Tinubu’s leadership.
He concluded by appealing for collective action in building on the progress made, stressing that history would favor leaders who contribute to national development rather than those who, in his words, “tear down” for political gain.
As of the time of this report, Senator Dickson has not issued a response to Lokpobiri’s remarks. The broader political situation in Rivers State remains tense, with continued debates over governance and party control in the state assembly, drawing national attention and calls for restraint from all parties involved.
