Dickson Wins Democracy Award, Urges Tinubu to Strengthen ECOWAS, Democratic Institutions Ahead Of 2027

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Former Bayelsa State Governor and National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other African leaders to strengthen democratic institutions, safeguard the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and ensure credible elections ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Dickson made the call in Abuja after receiving the Pillar of Nigeria Democracy Award at the 6th Anniversary Lecture, Dinner and Awards organised by Diplomatic Digest Magazine, a statement said on Saturday.

Speaking as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the former governor expressed concern over constitutional disruptions and the resurgence of military coups in parts of West Africa.

He urged President Tinubu to sustain diplomatic engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States to restore unity within ECOWAS.

“Democracy is not a sprint; it is a marathon. It is the democratic path to development, but there are no shortcuts on that path,” Dickson said.

He stressed that democracy can only thrive where there is respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, an independent judiciary, a free press, and an electoral management body that enjoys the confidence of the people.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Dickson called on political leaders, electoral stakeholders and security agencies to protect the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary and other democratic institutions to ensure electoral outcomes reflect the will of the people.

He dedicated the award to leaders and members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and millions of Nigerians who have defended constitutional democracy since the country’s return to civilian rule in 1999.

The event attracted senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, academics, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.
Delivering the anniversary lecture titled, “Chinese Diplomatic Tools and the Redefinition of the Global Governance System,” Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Head of Contemporary China–Africa Research in Nigeria and Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), urged Nigeria to pursue a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship with China.

He said Nigeria should leverage its diplomatic ties with Beijing to accelerate industrialisation, infrastructure development, technology transfer and human capital development through partnerships that promote self-reliance rather than dependency.

Also speaking, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, highlighted the role of active diplomacy in attracting foreign direct investment, expanding trade and strengthening national security.

Ebienfa called for closer collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, academia and the media to advance Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.

Earlier, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Diplomatic Digest Magazine, Kennedy Peretei, commended the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, for her leadership and appreciated members of the diplomatic community for supporting the publication over the past six years.

Peretei also called on the diplomatic community, governments at all levels and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration with the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN), describing it as a credible media association with international recognition.

He further praised DICAN Chairman, Frederick Idehai, the association’s executive members and members for promoting developmental journalism through international conferences aimed at combating disinformation, misinformation, malinformation, fake news and deepfakes, while contributing to credible global communication.