Senator Henry Seriake Dickson has distanced himself from the ongoing Senate Committee on Local Content probe into an alleged diversion of $14.8 million linked to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, describing the process as politically targeted and selective.
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Dickson, who is a member of the committee, announced his withdrawal on Saturday, stating that he attended the hearing believing it would be a routine interactive session with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and his team. According to him, it became clear during the meeting that the session was focused solely on a single transaction involving Sylva.
“When I discovered it was specifically summoned to probe only one transaction involving Chief Timipre Sylva, I raised objections,” he said. “If the fund is to be investigated, it should be comprehensively reviewed from inception, not selectively targeted at an individual.”
He noted that the matter had already been partly examined by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), questioning the need for another probe centered on one transaction. “The EFCC has already taken steps and reached a certain level. I do not believe the committee needs to investigate this particular transaction, even though it has the power to do so,” he added.
Dickson emphasized that his decision was guided by principle and personal policy rather than political alignment. He said he could not participate in an inquiry targeting a predecessor from his home state, regardless of political differences. “Sylva and I have been on opposite political sides since 2011, but I do not engage in politics that seeks to pull people down,” he stated. “Politics should be about contests during elections, not destroying opponents after the fact.”
He stressed that selective justice could undermine public confidence in legislative oversight, urging the committee to broaden its review if it intends to investigate the management of the fund.
“Our people are few; everyone is important. If you cannot help someone, leave them alone, and don’t destroy them. That has been my philosophy,” he said, noting that his colleagues on the committee understood and accepted his reasons for recusing himself.
Dickson reaffirmed his commitment to fairness and to supporting Bayelsans and Nigerians who serve at the federal level, regardless of party differences. He informed the public of his withdrawal as the committee continues its probe independently.
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