By Ebi Kesiena
Henry Seriake Dickson, Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, has condemned vote buying and selling, describing it as a by-product of poverty and ignorance deliberately weaponised to subvert democracy in Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch of African Politics and Development by H.R.H. Dr. Famous Eseduwo in Abuja, the former Bayelsa State Governor stated that widespread illiteracy and economic deprivation fuel electoral malpractice.
“Vote buying is a result of the weaponisation of poverty and ignorance,” Dickson said. “It is condemnable, but even worse is the outright fabrication of election results due to collusion between compromised electoral officials, security agencies, and a weakened judiciary.”
He expressed concern over political actors who, lacking genuine grassroots support, resort to intimidation and falsifying election outcomes, knowing the courts may be powerless to reverse the damage.
The Senator commended Dr. Eseduwo for writing the book and launching the NGO, AGPAM, which aims to raise awareness against vote trading. He urged more Nigerians to document their experiences and contribute to democratic scholarship.
Reflecting on his tenure as Governor, Dickson recalled his consistent opposition to federal influence in elections and called on citizens to defend their votes at polling units, wards, and communities.
“The resilience we built in Bayelsa against federal might must now become a national attitude,” he said, warning that democracy would remain fragile unless Nigerians across party lines unite to protect electoral integrity.
He concluded by urging collective action to stop the subversion of the people’s will, which he described as the greatest threat to Nigeria’s democratic future.
