The former governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has said that vote buying and selling, which is caused mainly by illiteracy and widespread poverty, is the outcome of the weaponisation of poverty and ignorance, and that it is condemnable.

The Senator made the remarks today, Tuesday, July 2, 2025 at the Book Launch by H.R.H. Dr. Famous Eseduwo, entitled ?African Politics and Development?, in Abuja.

He said that the worst form of electoral malpractice is the outright writing of false figures, purporting to be results of votes, due to the compromise of the electoral umpire, the security agencies, and the failures of the Judiciary.

?Today, I attended a book launch by H.R.H. Dr. Famous Eseduwo, entitled ?African Politics and Development?, which was launched today.

?In my remarks, I congratulated him for finding the time to write this important book, and I encouraged all our people to document their thoughts and experiences and to promote scholarship. I also thanked him and his team for inaugurating AGPAM, an NGO which aims to preach against and stop vote buying and selling.

?Vote buying and selling, which is caused mainly by illiteracy and widespread poverty, is the outcome of the weaponisation of poverty and ignorance, and it is condemnable. However, the worst form of electoral malpractice is the outright writing of false figures, purporting to be results of votes, due to the compromise of the electoral umpire, the security agencies, and the failures of the Judiciary. They do so and tell you to "go to court," knowing fully well that the Judiciary is helpless and cannot do anything.?

Senator Dickson called on all Nigerians to get ready to defend their votes in their polling units, communities, and wards where elections are held. The firebrand Senator said the resilience of defeating those who are banking on Federal might, election after election, which he championed from his days in opposition to federal might as Governor of Bayelsa State, must now be replicated nationwide.

?I called on all Nigerians to get ready to defend their votes in their polling units, communities, and wards where elections are held. That has been my message and practice since 2015, when I found myself leading Bayelsa State in opposition for the first time. And to the glory of God, we kept defeating those who were banking on Federal might, election after election, till date. This resilience must now be replicated nationwide.

?There are some politicians who boast that they will "deliver elections" when, in reality, they lack support even within their own families, let alone their communities. Yet, through the use of state influence and money, they intimidate their people, write results, and claim victory. This is the greatest subversion of the will of the people, and it must be stopped if democracy is to thrive in Nigeria.

?All lovers of Nigeria and our democracy must unite across party lines to ensure that our democratic values are preserved."

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