Former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has described election rigging as the worst form of coup that can be perpetrated against a nation and its people.
Speaking at the Fifth-Anniversary Public Lecture of First Daily newspaper, themed “How Can We Make Our Votes Count?”, Senator Dickson warned that manipulating election results or subverting the will of the people is a direct assault on Nigeria’s democracy and sovereignty.
“Rigging of elections is the worst coup you can plan,” the senator declared to loud applause from participants.
“When a politician plans to write fake results, it is the worst form of violation of the sovereignty of the people.”
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He urged political leaders and institutions to uphold integrity in the electoral process, emphasizing that democracy can only thrive when the ballot, not the bullet or backdoor manipulation, determines leadership.
Senator Dickson also commended First Daily for using its platform to spark conversations that strengthen democratic awareness and accountability among Nigerians.
The event, which featured leading voices from the media, civil society, and academia, also had First Daily publisher, Dr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, call on citizens to recognize the power of their votes and remain actively engaged in the democratic process beyond elections.