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.

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The founder and national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has cautioned supporters of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, against attacking the party and its leadership, describing such actions as counterproductive to Obi’s presidential ambition.

Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Dickson dismissed claims of a crisis within the NDC and insisted that the party remains united despite disagreements arising from its recent primary elections.

Reacting to criticisms from some Obi supporters, Dickson argued that it was illogical for individuals who want the former Anambra State governor to win the presidency to undermine the platform on which he is contesting.

“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,” Dickson said.

“I don’t know what these supporters gain by disparaging a platform that their so-called… the person they are supporting is running on.”

According to him, the NDC remains the vehicle through which Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, hope to secure victory in the 2027 presidential election.

“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.

Dickson also sought to dispel reports of internal turmoil within the party, saying the growing interest in the NDC should not be mistaken for 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,” he stated.

While acknowledging complaints from some aspirants over the conduct of the party’s primaries, Dickson admitted that the process was not perfect but attributed the challenges to the demands of direct primaries and a tight electoral timetable.

“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,” he said.

The former Bayelsa State governor also addressed allegations that activist Aisha Yesufu was mistreated during the party’s internal processes. Without referring to any specific incident, he maintained that the NDC remains open to all members 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,” Dickson said.

“As for today, Aisha Yesufu is a member of our party, and we welcome her.”

Dickson further rejected claims that the NDC awards tickets based on financial strength, insisting that while resources are important in politics, the party does not sell nominations to the highest bidder.

“But let me tell you as a fact, the NDC does not sell nomination forms to people based on how much they have,” he said.

He also revealed that Obi and Kwankwaso joined the party without any financial obligation and are working closely with the leadership to strengthen the platform.

“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,” Dickson said.

The senator expressed confidence that the NDC would remain united ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that growing public dissatisfaction with insecurity, economic hardship and governance challenges has strengthened the demand for political change.

The post ‘It’s nonsensical to support Obi and disparage me, NDC’ — Seriake Dickson appeared first on Vanguard News.

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