Former governors of Bayelsa and Rivers States, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson and Rotimi Amaechi, have cautioned political leaders against election rigging and manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Both leaders raised the alarm over the rising threat of voter apathy and electoral fraud, describing them as dangers capable of undermining Nigeria’s democracy.
They spoke on Monday at the fifth anniversary lecture of First Daily newspaper held in Abuja, themed “2027: How Can We Make Our Votes Count?”
Senator Dickson, who chaired the event, condemned electoral malpractice, calling it a “coup against the people’s sovereignty.” He said elections that do not reflect the will of the people are an insult to democracy.
“We have a long way to go in protecting the sovereignty that the Constitution says belongs to the people. Rigging of elections is the worst coup you can plan,” Dickson said.
The Bayelsa West senator lamented the continued collaboration between politicians, security agencies, and electoral officials to falsify results.
He said such actions rob citizens of their right to freely choose their leaders.
“When politicians and electoral umpires fabricate results that bear no relation to the votes cast, that’s a coup against democracy,” he added.
Dickson, who recalled facing electoral manipulation as a governor, urged the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act to make rigging more difficult and strengthen voters’ confidence.
On his part, former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said electoral reform cannot come from those in power.
“The problem with elections in Nigeria is that no incumbent government can achieve electoral reform — none. We tried it and failed,” Amaechi stated.
He accused politicians of resisting reforms for selfish reasons and criticised opposition parties for lacking unity and direction.
“The opposition is part of the problem. They are not discussing how to save Nigeria. Nobody is asking how to change things,” he said.
Amaechi also warned that the growing voter apathy in the country makes rigging easier.
“The first solution to electoral reform is not government — it’s the people. The more you say the results are already written, the more people stay home. That apathy will make the incumbent stay in power,” he added.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, said Nigeria’s democracy is being hollowed out by corruption and the capture of electoral institutions.
“Our elections are rigged in one form or another. Everyone connected to managing elections is linked to the president,” he said.
Quoting development expert Paul Collier, Amadi noted, “When elections are criminalised, only criminals can win.” He argued that Nigeria’s political system rewards corruption, turning elections into a battle for personal gain rather than service.
He called for civic mobilisation, transparency, and full public scrutiny of INEC’s operations ahead of the 2027 polls.
Earlier, First Daily publisher, Daniel Markson, lamented that Nigeria’s leadership failures stem from decades of flawed elections.
“There is a leadership issue in this country. Let’s tell ourselves the truth: we have failed. I am 55 years old, and I can’t remember a time Nigeria truly worked for me,” he said.
He announced plans for a nationwide voter sensitisation campaign next year to encourage active participation in the 2027 general elections.