The national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Seriake Dickson, says people are trying so hard looking for excuses to scatter opposition political parties in Nigeria.

Dickson made this statement during an interview on ‘Sunday Politics’, a programme on Channels Television.

His comment came following the judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register the NDC as a political party.

“What people are trying to do is to look for flimsy excuses to truncate the political opposition, destabilise, weaken and scatter the political opposition, which is why it is worrisome.

“With the African Democratic Congress, ADC, it was one Nafiu Gombe, who was there at the day they were holding National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting to formally appoint David Mark and the other leaders. I can’t speak much on that.

“And now, for a party that is growing, that we have worked so hard and presenting credible and dynamic political leaders, probably one of the most charismatic set of leaders converging now in the NDC, this has come up,” he said.

The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would be defeated in the 2027 general elections if the polls are conducted freely and fairly.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Dickson said widespread dissatisfaction with the APC-led administration would translate into electoral defeat for the ruling party.

“As leader of the NDC, and as a Nigerian who knows the feelings and yearnings of Nigerians, and who also knows that their aspirations have not been met, we believe that the APC government, the APC as a party, not just the President, will be defeated massively,” he said.

He called for an open democratic process, urging authorities to allow all political parties to participate in the elections without interference.

“Allow every party that wants to contest. You can only defeat them in an electoral contest. So, let us have a free and fair election,” Dickson added.

The former Bayelsa State governor also said the NDC remained open to discussions with other opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections, although he expressed hope that any eventual coalition would support the party’s candidates.

“As an opposition leader, our party, the NDC, will be open to conversations within that space,” he said.

“We hope that whatever discussions take place will lead to the NDC candidates being backed because we know the value of the candidates we are putting forward.”

Dickson, however, said it was too early to predict the outcome of any coalition talks.

“We are not claiming superiority. After the nomination process has ended, we will move into another phase of discussions. Whether there will be an agreement, I don’t know. We will try. Where it will lead, I don’t know, but all those are options that remain open,” he stated.

His comments come amid ongoing efforts by opposition parties to forge alliances ahead of the 2027 polls following political realignments involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.

Dickson also dismissed a lawsuit seeking the deregistration of the NDC, describing it as “frivolous” and politically motivated.

He maintained that the legal challenge would not affect the party’s participation in future elections, insisting that all its candidates would be on the ballot.

According to him, the party complied with all constitutional and legal requirements during its registration and remains confident in both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary.

The former governor also rejected claims challenging the NDC’s logo, arguing that no individual or organisation could claim exclusive ownership of the internationally recognised peace sign, which he said has been used for decades by prominent global and Nigerian leaders.

Samuel Anyanwu, the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said  it’s his turn to take charge of Imo State after Ikedi Ohakim, Emeka Ihedioha, and Hope Uzodimma.

Anyanwu spoke in Owerri, the Imo State capital at the start of a group called the ‘Polling Unit Movement for Sam Daddy.’ ‘Sam Daddy’ is Anyanwu’s politics moniker.

He mentioned that all of his fellow leaders who later took charge of the state came from “the old PDP in Imo,” stressing that it would be fair and just to give him the opportunity to lead when the voters go to the polls next year.

He said, “We were four strong PDP members, myself, Hope Uzodimma, Ikedi Ohakim, and Emeka Ihedioha.

“As God may have it, all three of them have ruled over Imo state, and I have remained myself. I have come to take my turn and I believe the other contestants will make space for me.”

Anyanwu admitted that political power is fought over, but he said he is still focused on his goals.

“It’s true that power isn’t given, it’s taken. I’ll stay focused on the ball,” he said.

He said he is confident about the PDP’s future, mentioning that the party is growing stronger and gaining more supporters.

Anyanwu said: “Fortunately, the PDP is becoming stronger and more united today. Our number is also growing by thousands.

“I’m saying this clearly and honestly, PDP is the only party our people really trust, and we won’t let the people of Imo down.”

Anyanwu asked the new group members to work hard and get support for the party in the rural areas.

He also warned about unfair practices during elections, saying the PDP will send its own workers to watch over the polling stations.

Anyanwu said: “Listen to me, there’s nothing they know that we do not know.

“And there’s nothing they possess that we don’t already have. No matter how they want it done, we’re up for the challenge. But we’re telling them that their tricks won’t work this time.

“We have placed our people around every polling station where they will watch over the voting process and keep the ballots safe until the results are declared in our favor.

“We have a lot of other things going on for Sam Daddy. We have the parent body, ‘Divine Mandate’.

“We have the Mass Movement for Sam Daddy. I ask you to work together with everyone to make sure the Imo people are involved in the new song.”