Former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson, has called for greater protection of Nigeria’s democratic values and electoral integrity as As First Daily celebrated its fifth anniversary on Monday at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
Delivering his keynote address as Chairman of the event, Senator Dickson thanked all leaders, dignitaries, and guests for honouring the media organization’s milestone. He paid glowing tribute to the publisher of As First Daily, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, describing him as “one of the seeds that fell on good soil.”
Drawing inspiration from the parable of the sower, Dickson likened the publication’s steady growth to seeds that flourish in fertile ground, producing meaningful impact. He prayed for continued success and pledged his personal support toward the paper’s future expansion.
The senator also acknowledged the presence of the Bayelsa community at the event, commending their spirit of solidarity and unity.
Turning to the theme of the anniversary, “2027: How Can We Make Our Vote Count?”, Dickson emphasized the urgent need to protect the sovereignty of the people through credible elections. He denounced electoral malpractice in strong terms, describing rigging as a violation of the people’s will and a direct assault on democracy.
“Rigging is the violation of the people,” Dickson declared. “It is a group act against democracy, against the country, and against the sovereignty of the people.”
He expressed hope that ongoing efforts at the National Assembly to reform electoral laws would help eliminate practices that undermine voters’ rights and confidence in the system.
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Drawing from his own experience as a governor in the opposition, Dickson condemned the misuse of security agencies and manipulation of election results, calling such conduct “a conspiracy to commit crimes in the name of election planning.”
He urged Nigerians to rise above partisan interests and reject what he described as “federal fraud,” insisting that elections should be moments of pride and renewed faith in the Nigerian project.
“Elections should not make us look small,” he said. “They should reaffirm our faith in the Nigerian dream.”
The event brought together notable political figures, media executives, and thought leaders who commended As First Daily for its contributions to public discourse and commitment to truth-driven journalism.