•Seriake Dickson
Founder and National Leader of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has sympathised with party aspirants over the irregularities recorded during the party’s recently concluded primary elections, assuring members that measures are being put in place to address grievances and improve future exercises.
Dickson made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television, where he acknowledged that the primary election process was not without challenges but urged aggrieved aspirants and party members to show understanding given the circumstances under which the party operated.
According to him, while the exercise was not perfect, the NDC should be judged within the context of its relatively short existence and the enormous responsibilities it has undertaken within a compressed electoral timetable.
“While not claiming that the exercise was perfect, I urged all of them to bear with the party in view of the circumstances we are managing, which have overwhelmed even bigger parties,” Dickson said.
He noted that the challenges experienced by the NDC were not unique, citing similar complaints that have emerged from other political parties, including those with more established structures and greater access to government resources.
The former Bayelsa State governor pointed out that the NDC, which was formed only four months ago, has had to conduct membership registration, congresses, national convention activities, primary elections, appeal processes and reconciliation efforts within a limited period ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He identified the Electoral Act’s provision mandating direct primaries as a major factor contributing to the challenges experienced by political parties during candidate selection processes.
“My views on the Electoral Act have been clear. The APC-led majority were wrong in foisting compulsory direct primaries on political parties and the country. Complaints about irregularities in direct primaries are pervasive across all parties and are not peculiar to the NDC,” he stated.
Dickson maintained that despite the difficulties encountered, the party had performed creditably considering its age and the large number of aspirants it had to manage across the country.
He said that since the formation of the party, he had been focused on building confidence in the NDC and attracting respected political figures into its fold, while also working to resolve disputes arising from the primaries.
“The NDC is on the ascendancy, and I commend Nigerians for their trust and confidence in the party. Even these challenges, which are not peculiar to us, will pass,” he said.
The NDC leader also dismissed reports circulating on social media regarding winners of the party’s primaries, stressing that no official results had yet been announced by the party.
“No party has announced any set of winners from its primaries, and neither has the NDC. The public should disregard any such claims in circulation, especially on social media, and await the party’s formal submissions through the appropriate channels,” he stated.
He explained that the outcome of party primaries would be communicated through official party structures and not through unofficial channels.
“The results of party primaries are not announced like school results; they are communicated through formal channels,” he added.
Dickson further commended party members for their patience and support, revealing that the National Executive Committee (NEC), at its recent meeting, approved the establishment of a Reconciliation Committee to work with state caucus leaders and other stakeholders in addressing grievances arising from the primaries.
According to him, the committee will play a critical role in fostering unity within the party and ensuring that all members remain committed to the NDC’s collective goals.
He also assured members that future primary elections would be conducted using technology-driven systems to eliminate many of the challenges experienced during the just-concluded exercise.
“This is the party’s first set of primaries, and it will also be the last to be conducted manually. The next primaries will be technologically driven and will have none of these issues,” he said.
Dickson expressed appreciation to party supporters and donors, noting that the NDC operates without government support and relies entirely on contributions and sacrifices from members and supporters.
He said all aspirants and party members remained valued stakeholders irrespective of the outcome of the primary process.
“We are in this together, and we are all committed to ensuring the success of our party and our presidential team, Peter Obi and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who are my colleagues in this project,” he stated.
The NDC leader urged members to avoid internal conflicts and focus on supporting the party’s candidates at all levels, from the presidential election to local elective offices.
He also called on state caucus leaders and stakeholders who coordinated the primary elections to take responsibility for the reconciliation process, stressing that many of the candidates emerged through recommendations from local party leaders rather than directives from the national leadership.
“It is not a time to shift blames or dodge responsibilities. Since they midwifed and managed the process of the primaries, they should equally help in supporting the party in coordinating the reconciliation process, of which they have the support of the party,” Dickson said.
