Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Seriake Dickson shared his insights on the situation in Benue State and broader security issues in Nigeria during an interview on Arize TV on Thursday, June 18, 2025.
Here are the key points from his discussion:
On the Benue State Killings:
Senator Dickson condoled with the government and people of Benue State, describing the killings as an assault on the collective psyche of Nigerians.
The former Bayelsa governor noted that while the President visited Benue State, the decisions and declarations made were not forceful enough.
Dickson characterised the situation as a form of criminality and genocide, highlighting the Nigerian state’s apparent unpreparedness to address the violence.
His word: ”’I condole with the government and people of Benue state and all those affected by the killings and indeed all Nigerians because what has been going on in Benue state is an assault on our collective psyche
”The president went to Benue state even though he should have been there earlier, all the same he was there.
”However, the decisions and declarations made by the President was not as forceful as some of us would have wanted.
”The issue in Benue state is a criminality, as a matter of fact a genocide and the Nigerian state appears to be unprepared for the sort of violence that people are unleashing on fellow Nigerians.
”Everybody knows that our borders are porous and that is why you see the influx of people Chad and other regions find their way into the country.
”The crisis and the state failures that were seen around the Sahel region makes Nigeria a very attractive place for mercenaries to come to which is what the chief of defense Staff has tried to explain.”
On Border Security:
He emphasised the need to rethink the state of security at Nigeria’s borders, citing the influx of people from Chad and other regions due to porous borders.
”Our borders are wide open.We’re surrounded by Francophone countries, many of which are going through their own instability.”
Dickson suggested that the crisis in the Sahel region has made Nigeria an attractive place for mercenaries.
He stressed the importance of fencing Nigeria’s borders to enhance security.
”With the collapse of security in the Sahel, and state failure in parts of the region, Nigeria has become a soft target for external mercenaries.
”I support fencing or whatever strategic method is required to protect our sovereignty.
”As for our borders, we need to rethink on the state of security in our borders and we hope that Mr President will give an accelerated attention to the security of our borders as to the issue of fencing around Nigerian borders, convening a national security meeting with state governors, have a national policy burning open grazing.
”However there is need to engage the headers by providing ranches for cattle rearers.”
National Security Meeting:
He recommended that the President convene a national security meeting with state governors to develop a template for national compulsory ranching.
”Let me put it clearly as a way of rounding up the issue of security in Nigeria first of all the chief of defense Staff talked about fencing of our borders that must be seriously looked into with utmost attention.
”Secondly the president should conveying a meeting with all the state governors and security Chiefs to work out a template for National compulsory ranching.
”Thirdly, the local government administration needs to be strengthened just as the Supreme Court through the suit of the Federal Government as given autonomy to local government.
”This is because it is the local government that is closer to the people so they need to be revived.
‘:Fourthly, there has to be more presence of governance both local, state and Federal Government in terms of dealing with those communities and relating with relevant Security Agencies at the grassroots especially the DPOs, the vigilantes and so on.
”Lastly, we talk about funding and training of the police. They have to be funded and properly trained for them to carry out they are duties.
”When all these put together is done we would have solved to a large extent the issue of insecurity and we do not need to politicize it rather we must all work together. ”
Strengthening Local Government:
Dickson emphasised the need to strengthen local government administration, citing their proximity to the people and potential to enhance security.
He highlighted the importance of a stronger presence of governance at the local, state, and federal levels in dealing with communities and security agencies.
Police Funding and Training:
Dickson stressed the need for adequate funding and training for the police to effectively carry out their duties.
He reiterated his longstanding support for ranching as a national security and food policy.
While commending President Tinubu’s creation of a Ministry of Livestock, he stressed the need for more comprehensive planning and execution.
“I’ve been saying this for years: the solution is a national policy on ranching.
“Not just in Benue, but across the country. Build the ranches, regulate them, and then you can ban open grazing. Do it the right way and no governor will oppose it.”
PDP Crisis and the Ruling APC:
He urged PDP leaders not to allow Nigeria to slide into a one-party rule, which he likened to dictatorship.
Dickson encouraged PDP leaders to make concessions, convene a proper NEC meeting, and move towards a national convention to elect new leadership.
He expressed concern about governors decamping to the ruling APC but questioned whether the people were also decamping.
Dickson emphasised the need for collective action to address the security challenges facing Nigeria and for the PDP to resolve its internal crises to maintain a strong opposition.
”I want to make a plea to PDP leaders and leaders of the opposition party not to allow Nigeria sleep into a one party’s rule which is tantamount to dictatorship.
”The PDP is not beyond redemption because the crisis in the party are minor.
”The PDP leaders should make the concessions that must be made, the national secretary that INEC has recognised get him to sign and convene a proper NEC meeting with the chairman.
”Go for the NEC meeting, take the decisions that must be taken.
”Already we have appointed the convention committee and the zoning committee, then we ratify those in the committee and go to the convention.
”At the convention, a new leadership will emerge and then you will see a new PDP.
”Lastly let me tell you, yes governors are influential we don’t want governors to decamp and it is sad they are doing so.
”However, the most important question is, are the people decamping?
