On Thursday, Dickson faulted President Bola Tinubu for failing to address the political crisis in Rivers state during his Democracy Day speech.

“The president missed a golden opportunity today to strengthen democracy by restoring constitutional rule in Rivers state,” the senator had said.

In a statement issued on Friday, Frank praised Dickson for condemning what he termed the anti-democratic actions of Tinubu’s administration, particularly the handling of the political crisis in Rivers state.

He was reacting to Dickson’s comments shortly after Tinubu delivered his Democracy Day address to a joint session of the national assembly.

Frank said Dickson acted with courage by raising the alarm over the political situation in Rivers, including the controversial suspension of Siminalayi Fubara as the governor and the state assembly members.

He accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of silencing dissenting voices after Dickson was reportedly denied a point of order to address concerns about letters from Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers.

Frank said Dickson stood for democracy when others chose silence.

“Senator Dickson played the role of a true opposition by speaking the minds of ordinary Nigerians,” Frank said.

“He did not just make me proud as a citizen of Nigeria; he made me proud as an Ijaw son, a Bayelsan, a Niger Delta son, and a Nigerian.”

He said while many lawmakers have become “political cowards and sycophants”, Dickson remains committed to confronting the truth.

“Posterity will remember him for his principled stance in condemning the undemocratic tendencies of the Tinubu administration,” he said.

“History will never forget him because when Nigerians expected leaders, especially those in government, to speak the truth, he stood up to defend democracy.”

Frank said Tinubu’s government is “allergic to the rule of law and committed to impunity and dictatorship”.

He added that Dickson’s action is similar to what is obtainable in democracies like the United States and the United Kingdom, where lawmakers hold leaders accountable.

“It might look like he is alone, but we want to let him know that the Nigerian masses are with him,” Frank said.

“Even if his colleagues across party lines may not support him due to cowardice, Nigerians and the world are with him.”

He said Dickson should remain fearless and not be intimidated by any plan to silence him, warning that the senate may attempt to suspend him.

Frank also criticised the senate minority caucus, describing it as compromised and directionless under Abba Moro’s leadership.

He said Moro has failed to speak out against the government’s “unconstitutional policies” and accused him of doing the bidding of the ruling party.