Senator Dickson Laments Toxic Public Sector, Says Honesty in Nigeria is Met With Blackmail and Propaganda

Senator Seriake Dickson has pulled back the curtain on the “mental toll” of serving in Nigeria’s government, declaring on Monday that maintaining honesty in the nation’s public sector is an uphill battle against a “polluted” system. Speaking in Abuja after being honored with a Transparency in Leadership Award, the former Bayelsa State Governor painted a vivid picture of a workspace where integrity is often rewarded with character assassination rather than applause.

Dickson, whose career has spanned the front lines of the police force to the executive chambers of Government House, argued that the Nigerian public space has become increasingly hostile to those who refuse to play by the “old rules.” He noted that in a society where everyone is “painted with the same brush,” even the most transparent leaders find themselves fighting off constant waves of propaganda and state-sponsored blackmail.

“It is not easy in this country to serve with honesty within the public realm,” the Senator remarked at the National Assembly. “We operate in a society filled with misrepresentation. However, despite this environment, I can say from my own experience that honest Nigerian public officers do exist. They may be few, but they are there in the judiciary, in the police, and in the civil service.”

The lawmaker used the platform to challenge civil society organizations to change their strategy. Instead of a “State of Harmony” built on blanket criticism, he urged them to actively identify and shield the “pockets of excellence” within the government. By recognizing those who serve with a “creed of service to God,” Dickson believes Nigeria can begin to tilt the scales back toward accountability.

As he prepares for the political shifts of 2026 and 2027, the Bayelsa West representative made it clear that while the environment is “tough,” he remains unmoved in his principles. For a man who has navigated the murky waters of state and federal politics for two decades, his message to the next generation of leaders was clear: if you choose the path of honesty, prepare for a fight.