ABUJA/Nigeria: Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West in the National Assembly, has accused the Nigerian political elite of systematically destroying the country’s democratic foundations, warning that the current trajectory amounts to political suicide.
Speaking at a workshop hosted by the Nigeria Civil Society’s Alliance for Democratic Change (NCSADC) in Abuja on Monday, Senator Dickson described the political class as the architects of Nigeria’s deepening crisis. He lamented that their self-serving actions had not only weakened democratic institutions but were actively eroding public trust and national stability.
“The Nigerian political class has killed this country, and you guys (civil society) should not let it happen. It is killing Nigeria; it is making this country look small,” he declared, urging civil society organisations to resist further democratic decline.
Delivering a keynote address on the theme “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Democracy Through Unity and Resolve,” the former Bayelsa governor said Nigeria was teetering on the brink of failure due to politicians who consistently placed personal gain over national interest.
He particularly criticised the frequent defection of politicians from one party to another, describing it as a blatant betrayal of the electoral mandate and a direct assault on democratic values. “They join the ruling party not because of ideology or service, but to access state resources and compromise the electoral process,” he said.
According to Dickson, such conduct highlights a pervasive disregard for the constitution and a lack of respect for the rule of law. He said the constitutional provisions regarding defections were clear, but politicians routinely ignored them with impunity.
The senator also expressed concern about the subversion of critical democratic institutions, especially the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He accused politicians of attempting to manipulate court judgments and influence judicial officers.
“Our own democracy is the wishes and caprices of the president or a governor. They don’t even care how the world looks at Nigeria, with a deep disregard for constitutionalism and democratic norms,” he said.
Dickson described the judiciary as “helpless” and reduced to reading “body language” instead of interpreting laws independently. He lamented that court rulings in Nigeria had become predictable, often favouring those who wield power.
He also alleged that politicians were compromising INEC and exploiting security agencies to rig elections, intimidate opponents, and silence dissenting voices. Such acts, he said, had further eroded citizens’ confidence in the country’s democratic process.
Despite the bleak outlook, Senator Dickson called on civil society organisations to take a firmer stance in defending democratic ideals. “You are the only hope left for this country,” he told participants at the event.
He emphasised that the future of Nigeria’s democracy depended on the strengthening of institutions, the conduct of credible elections, and the insistence on accountability at all levels of government.
The Abuja workshop drew participants from across the country, including civil society leaders, scholars, and activists, all united in concern over the shrinking civic and democratic space in Nigeria.
