The national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has called on party members and supporters to avoid internal disputes and focus on strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
Dickson made the appeal in a statement issued on Thursday following his interview on ARISE TV, where he addressed concerns over alleged irregularities in the party’s recently concluded primaries.
The former Bayelsa State governor acknowledged that some aspirants were dissatisfied with aspects of the exercise but urged them to remain committed to the party as it navigates the challenges of rapid growth and a compressed electoral timetable.
“Last night, I had an interview with Arise TV, where I sympathised with our aspirants over some noticeable irregularities in our just-concluded primaries,” Dickson said.
“I noted that, 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.”
According to him, the NDC, which is barely four months old, has had to conduct membership registration, congresses, national conventions, primaries and appeal processes within a limited period.
He blamed some of the challenges experienced during the primaries on provisions of the Electoral Act mandating direct primaries.
“I identified the root cause of these challenges. 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,” he said.
Dickson argued that complaints about irregularities were not unique to the NDC, noting that similar concerns had emerged in other political parties.
The senator also urged members to disregard unofficial results circulating online, insisting that the party had not announced any winners from its primaries.
“I also noted that 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.
Dickson disclosed that the party’s National Executive Committee had already approved the establishment of a reconciliation committee to address grievances arising from the primary elections.
“As I have stated before, this is our 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.
He stressed the need for unity within the party and urged supporters to rally behind all NDC candidates.
“I advise all members and supporters to avoid meaningless quarrels and infighting. Everyone should support our candidates, from the Presidency down to the least elective office,” Dickson said.
The NDC leader reaffirmed his support for the party’s presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, describing them as partners in a collective political project that requires cooperation and discipline to succeed in 2027.
