Former Governors of Bayelsa and Rivers States, Senator Seriake Dickson and Rt Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, have raised the alarm over the growing threat that electoral malpractice poses to Nigeria’s democracy as the 2027 general election draws close. Speaking at the fifth anniversary lecture of First Daily Newspaper held in Abuja on Monday, the two leaders …
Rigging is the Worst Coup, Dickson, Amaechi Warn Ahead of 2027 Elections
Former Governors of Bayelsa and Rivers States, Senator Seriake Dickson and Rt Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, have raised the alarm over the growing threat that electoral malpractice poses to Nigeria’s democracy as the 2027 general election draws close.
Speaking at the fifth anniversary lecture of First Daily Newspaper held in Abuja on Monday, the two leaders cautioned that the nation risks deeper political instability unless urgent reforms are carried out to ensure credible polls.
The event, which brought together politicians, diplomats, and media executives, had as its theme: “2027: How Can We Make Our Votes Count?”
Senator Dickson, who chaired the occasion, described electoral rigging as “the worst form of coup”, stressing that it undermines the sovereignty of the people and erodes public confidence in the democratic process.
“Rigging of elections is the worst coup you can plan,” he said. “A more dangerous violation of the people’s sovereignty happens when politicians, security agencies, and even the electoral umpire collude to concoct results that have no connection to the actual votes cast.
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When people are told, ‘Go to court,’ after such manipulations, it becomes a coup against democracy itself.”
Dickson, who currently represents Bayelsa West in the Senate, recalled his experience leading the state as governor, noting that what many politicians describe as election strategy often amounts to a “criminal conspiracy”.
He therefore called on the National Assembly to strengthen the Electoral Act to eliminate result falsification and protect the people’s mandate.
Similarly, former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, echoed Dickson’s concerns.
Amaechi lamented that successive governments have failed to implement meaningful electoral reforms to strengthen the country’s democracy.
“The problem with elections in Nigeria is that no incumbent government can deliver true electoral reform. We have tried it and failed.
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“Those in power always have vested interests, while opposition parties have not shown enough commitment to offer a credible alternative,” he said.
Amaechi further warned that widespread voter apathy and public disillusionment were giving room for electoral fraud to persist unchecked.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, criticised what he termed the “dangerous fusion” between political power and the management of elections in Nigeria.
“Everyone involved in managing elections is somehow connected to the president,” Amadi stated. “This lack of neutrality ensures that elections remain contests of force rather than expressions of the people’s will.”
In his welcome remarks, the publisher of the First Daily Newspaper, Mr Daniel Markson, lamented that the country’s leadership crisis is rooted in flawed elections and governance failures.
“There is a leadership issue in this country,” Markson said. “Let’s tell ourselves the truth. We have failed, and that failure began with the subversion of the people’s will.”
The event concluded with a renewed call for institutional reforms, civic education, and collective responsibility to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy ahead of 2027.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
