The founder and national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), former Bayelsa State governor and serving senator, Hon. Seriake Dickson, has dismissed reports of a crisis within the party, insisting that its leadership remains intact despite concerns over internal disputes following the party’s rapid expansion.
Hon. Dickson said this while speaking in an exclusive interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, where he described the growing interest in the NDC as a sign of public confidence rather than evidence of instability.
“The NDC leadership is intact, and there’s no crisis whatsoever. There’s even no crisis of confidence. And a lot of Nigerians believe in us. I want to begin by thanking Nigerians for their trust and confidence in the NDC,” he stated.
Acknowledging the dissatisfaction of some party members and aspirants over aspects of the NDC primary process, Dickson admitted that while the exercise was not without flaws, it was shaped by the pressures of direct primaries and a tight electoral timetable.
“Now, in the primaries, we didn’t have an issue with all the other activities. Within this three-to-four-month period, you know what has happened? We have gone through electronic registration of members in a very tight electoral timeline imposed, more or less, by the APC government to the detriment of all other parties—particularly new parties like us. We are one of the newest kids on the block, but clearly boxing above our weight. First, I want to tell all our members, particularly aspirants and their supporters, that we feel what they feel. They feel some of the processes were not perfect. And I will be one of the first to admit that, yes, direct primaries—in the way and manner the Electoral Act stipulated—have created a crisis. Actually, the crisis could have been worse for a young, new party like the NDC if not for the way all my colleagues and I are managing it, and the aspirants themselves are showing restraint and commitment to the party,” he said.
Addressing Aisha Yesufu’s alleged ill-treatment and broader complaints of irregularities within the NDC primaries, the party leader questioned the specifics of the claims while insisting the party remains open and welcoming to all members, including prominent figures, and does not operate a system of exclusion.
“Can you define the nature of the ill-treatment? Because there are people who, maybe because they’re popular on social media and well-known, they may not want to play by the rules. I don’t want to talk about any particular person, but as for today, Aisha Yesufu is a member of our party, and we welcome her. But you see, I’m not here to talk about any particular individual case because, as I said earlier, I don’t deal with field operations,” he maintained.
Refuting claims that NDC tickets are awarded to the highest bidder, Hon. Dickson maintained that while aspirants’ ability to fund campaigns may be considered by stakeholders, the party does not sell nomination tickets.
“But let me tell you as a fact, the NDC does not sell nomination forms to people based on how much they have. In the real political world, resources are key. That’s why people mobilize funds. That’s why people talk of networks that will raise funds. So it is perfectly legitimate for not just the NDC, but every party to say, ‘Look, do you have the resources to take this position?'”, he explained.
Responding to concerns over delayed primary election results, Dickson said the party had already communicated its position, dismissing results circulating on social media as unofficial.
“The party has spoken. The party’s position has been communicated, which is that all the reports, results people are brandishing on social media, and some declaring themselves—many of them declaring themselves—and it’s easy to do. How a party communicates results is when you formally send the winners, the party’s nominees, to the regulator, the electoral body,” he explained.
Reacting to concerns about the influence of Peter Obi’s supporters within the NDC, Dickson insisted that the party remains united and is not a coalition of competing factions. He said Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, were welcomed onto the party’s platform without financial conditions and are working closely with the leadership to build a strong and cohesive political movement.
“Obi and Kwankwaso did not pay one naira. We are working together. He’s our presidential candidate, and he’s a running mate, and we’re working on building it together,” he insisted.
The NDC national leader also cautioned supporters against disparaging the party, arguing that the NDC is the vehicle through which its presidential ticket hopes to secure victory, and that weakening the platform ultimately undermines the candidates it supports.
“You cannot be supporting Peter Obi, if you are genuinely supporting him, and you are disparaging me, the leader, or the platform itself. That is nonsensical. I don’t know what these supporters gain by disparaging a platform that their so-called… the person they are supporting is running on.
“Now, NDC is the vehicle that will take Peter Obi and Kwankwaso to the Villa. So if they understand the processes, even if there’s no gratitude to those who set up the NDC and offered it, they should know that they are hurting themselves if they run down the platform,” he warned.
Expressing confidence in the NDC’s chances in the 2027 election, Dickson argued that widespread concerns over insecurity, economic hardship, and national division have created a strong desire for change among Nigerians.
He maintained that the election would be a contest between Nigerians and the ruling APC rather than between political parties alone.
“We are confident that we will win in a free and fair electoral process. There is no Nigerian that is not feeling the impact of insecurity. There is no Nigerian that is spared from hunger, disease, and want. There is no Nigerian that is not seeing the deep division that has taken over the country.
“And Nigerians are united that the next election is actually not between the NDC and the APC. Nigerians are united that the next election is between all Nigerians on the one hand, and the APC on the other hand.
“And I want to call on all supporters, our fan base, supporters, and members of our party to focus on these key issues, because these are the issues that matter,” he urged.
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