Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator representing Bayelsa West and former Governor of Bayelsa State, has called for greater priority to be given to the Nigeria Police as part of efforts to achieve sustainable national security.
Dickson made the call while reflecting on the 6th Anniversary Public Lecture of the First Daily National Dialogue on Security, which he co-chaired alongside other distinguished personalities.
Congratulating the Publisher of First Daily, Dr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, for organising the national dialogue, the senator described the event as a significant platform for addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
According to him, the dialogue attracted an array of high-profile participants, including two former Chiefs of Defence Staff, a former Inspector-General of Police, representatives of security agencies, governors and other stakeholders.
Dickson also appreciated Bayelsa leaders who attended the event, urging Nigerians to cultivate a culture of supporting one another instead of engaging in criticism that undermines those making positive contributions at the national level.
“This is the way to go: to encourage and support one another, not badmouthing and running down people when we don’t have enough people at the national level,” he said.
Speaking on the security discourse, the senator argued that the Nigeria Police should occupy the centre of national security planning because of its frontline role in maintaining law and order.
He reiterated his long-standing position on the debate over state police, stressing that while he supports the devolution of policing powers as a committed federalist, the process should be gradual and carefully implemented.
Dickson proposed that policing powers should first be devolved to the zonal level before extending them to local governments after the completion of local government reforms, with state governments coordinating local policing operations.
He noted that such a phased approach would ensure an effective and well-structured transition without undermining national security.
The former Bayelsa governor thanked participants for their contributions toward finding practical and lasting solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.
He also commended Dr. Iworiso-Markson and the First Daily team for convening the dialogue and wished the organisation continued success in promoting national conversations on critical issues affecting the country.
