Rigging Is the Worst Coup Against Democracy — Dickson, Amaechi Warn Ahead of 2027 Elections

As the 2027 general elections draw closer, former governors of Bayelsa and Rivers states, Senator Seriake Dickson and Rotimi Amaechi, have warned that Nigeria’s democracy faces grave danger from persistent electoral fraud, voter apathy, and political manipulation.

The two leaders spoke in Abuja on Monday at the fifth anniversary lecture of First Daily Newspaper, which brought together politicians, diplomats, and media professionals to discuss the theme, “2027: How Can We Make Our Votes Count?”

Senator Dickson, who chaired the event, described election rigging as “the worst kind of coup,” arguing that falsifying results undermines the will of the people.

“Rigging of elections is the worst coup you can plan,” Dickson said. “When politicians, government officials, security agencies, and even the electoral umpire collude to manufacture results that have no link to actual votes, that is a coup against democracy and against the sovereignty of the people.”

Recalling his own experience as an opposition governor, Dickson said: “What many Nigerian politicians call election planning is, in truth, a conspiracy to commit crimes.” He urged the National Assembly to strengthen electoral laws to curb manipulation and safeguard voters’ mandates.

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, in his remarks, agreed that electoral malpractice continues to erode public confidence in the democratic process.

“The problem with elections in Nigeria is that there is no incumbent government that can successfully carry out electoral reform — none. We’ve tried it before and failed,” Amaechi said.

He noted that entrenched political interests and weak opposition structures make reform difficult, warning that voter apathy only deepens the problem.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, said Nigeria’s democracy remains fragile because of the politicisation of electoral management.

“Everyone connected to election administration is linked to the president,” Amadi said, stressing that lack of neutrality has turned elections into contests of power rather than reflections of the people’s will.

In his welcome address, First Daily publisher Daniel Markson lamented Nigeria’s recurring leadership failures, blaming them on flawed elections and weak governance.

“There is a leadership issue in this country,” Markson said. “Let’s be honest — we have failed.”

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