Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson, has called on Nigerians to rise against the menace of vote buying and the manipulation of election results, warning that such practices threaten the foundation of democracy in the country.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Sokoto on Saturday, Dickson said stakeholders must take collective responsibility in confronting electoral malpractice and the dangerous trend of pre-determined election outcomes.
The former Bayelsa governor expressed concern over how some wealthy and influential politicians exploit poverty and illiteracy to manipulate voters with cash and material inducements.
The senator said, “Vote buying and selling disenfranchise the people and undermine the integrity of our democratic process.
“It’s a dangerous development that leads to the emergence of unqualified leaders who have nothing to offer the country.”
Dickson condemned what he described as the “abuse of state institutions” during elections, including the preparation of fake results even before votes are cast.
He stressed that electoral authorities must strengthen safeguards at polling units rather than leaving the burden of justice to the courts.
“In many cases, genuine cases of electoral fraud are thrown out on technical grounds.
“This emboldens perpetrators who know they can manipulate the process and get away with it,” he added.
The lawmaker further lamented that some individuals who could not even win elections in their own families or communities now claim victory through fraudulent means, leveraging state machinery and political influence.
Dickson said,”As a member of the Senate, I am part of ongoing efforts to introduce stronger legislation to address these electoral anomalies.
“But we must also recognise that INEC alone cannot control the conduct of security personnel and other government agents involved in elections.”
He noted that the desperation to win elections at all costs has led many politicians to defect to ruling parties just to benefit from undue advantages and misuse of state power.
“More politicians and citizens are jumping ship, not for ideology or service, but to secure personal advantage in elections,” Dickson concluded.
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