Senator Dickson Warns: Rampant Electoral Manipulation Threatens Nigeria’s Future and Democratic Foundations

Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West Senatorial District and served previously as governor of Bayelsa State, has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of Nigeria's electoral process. He stated that the widespread practice of vote buying and result manipulation has opened the gates for incompetent leaders to ascend to positions of power, ultimately damaging the country’s democratic fabric and governance structures.

Raising the alarm in a statement made available to the media, Dickson identified vote buying and election rigging as twin evils that have not only undermined public trust in the electoral process but also led to the entrenchment of mediocrity in leadership. He argued that these practices are at the heart of many of Nigeria’s developmental challenges.

Senator Dickson lamented that electoral malpractice is now so entrenched that it threatens to become the norm if decisive action is not taken. According to him, when elections are decided by the size of one’s wallet rather than the strength of one’s vision or credibility, the electorate suffers the consequences in the long run.

He accused a section of Nigeria’s political elite of exploiting poverty and illiteracy to their advantage, using money and material gifts to manipulate voters. These tactics, he observed, are not only ethically wrong but also strategically harmful, as they result in leaders who are more interested in maintaining their political grip than in serving the people.

Far from being isolated incidents, Dickson noted that vote buying and selling have become systematic tactics deployed during elections. He stressed that this unhealthy pattern effectively disenfranchises the masses and weakens the credibility of democratic institutions. In his words, “It’s a dangerous development that leads to the emergence of unqualified leaders who have nothing to offer the country.”

Highlighting the misuse of state power during elections, Dickson decried what he described as the “abuse of state institutions.” He said reports of results being prepared even before ballots are cast show how deeply entrenched corruption has become in the electoral process. Such activities, he added, create an uneven playing field and discourage credible individuals from participating in politics.

He criticised the over-reliance on the judiciary to correct electoral fraud, stating that courts often throw out genuine petitions due to technicalities, rather than focusing on the substance of the allegations. This judicial pattern, he argued, emboldens perpetrators who now feel confident that they can manipulate elections and still escape consequences.

According to the senator, individuals with little grassroots support are now leveraging political connections and the machinery of the state to secure electoral victories, even in areas where they are largely unpopular. He expressed concern that this undermines the essence of democracy, which is supposed to reflect the will of the people.

Dickson also addressed the increasing rate of political defections, particularly among politicians seeking to align with ruling parties for personal gain. He remarked that the motivation behind these defections is not ideology or a desire to serve but rather a quest for access to state power and electoral leverage.

He said such actions are driven by desperation and a win-at-all-costs mentality, warning that the country risks further instability if this culture continues unchecked. “More and more politicians are switching allegiances not because of conviction or policy differences, but to benefit from undue advantage in elections,” he said.

As a serving senator, Dickson emphasized that legislative reforms are underway to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral laws. However, he acknowledged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cannot singlehandedly regulate the conduct of security agencies and other government actors involved in the electoral process. He called for a collective national effort among stakeholders to reclaim and restore credibility to the country’s democratic system.

He urged electoral authorities to focus more on strengthening transparency at polling units, noting that the current system places an unfair burden on the courts to deliver post-election justice. Without robust safeguards at the grassroots level, Dickson warned, the cycle of flawed elections and bad governance would persist.

His remarks serve as a strong call to action for citizens, civil society organizations, political parties, and institutions to confront electoral malpractice head-on. For Dickson, saving Nigeria’s democracy requires more than just new laws; it demands a shift in political culture and an unwavering commitment to integrity from all sides.