- Says I’m focused on building a credible political platform
- No pursuit of personal ambition now
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, says contesting the 2027 presidential election against President Bola Tinubu is not part of his immediate plans but Nigeria deserves better going forward.
According to him, rather than pursuing personal ambition with 2027 presidential poll, his immediate priority, alongside other political stakeholders, is on building a credible political platform.
Effectively, playing down ongoing national debate over zoning and presidential ticket permutations ahead of the 2027 elections, Senator Dickson urged political actors to prioritise strengthening institutions and parties while ensuring Nigerians are given the benefits of good governance as dividend of democracy.
Speaking on the sidelines of a press conference shortly after announcing his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at his residence in Abuja, Senator Dickson said the focus is on strengthening and turning the NDC into a viable national platform capable of attracting Nigerians across party lines.
He said: “We are actually aiming to take over power at the Centre. And it is possible. It’s human beings that made up a party. It’s not the name. Is that not so? But if you look at the dynamics that played out in 2023, you will know that this anger and hunger in Nigeria, the disenchantment, and with the credibility of the platform that we offer, anything is possible.”
However, insisting that joining the NDC is not the so-called part of a broader plan to challenge Tinubu in 2027, Dickson said the party currently focused on building a solid foundation rather than discussing presidential ambitions, saying; “You also talked about the presidential race. Let me tell you right away. That’s not our focus. My colleagues and I are working to build a credible platform to offer to Nigeria and attract as many people as possible.”
On the 2027 general elections, the former Bayelsa Governor said: “Again, on the zoning and presidential ticket, let me say politics is much more than that. We want to first build a party. We don’t want to make the mistake that other parties are making. All argument is about who runs, who doesn’t and which region comes first.
“Let’s put the party first. When it gets to that time, things will sort themselves out. But I am not, for now, looking at that (presidency), even though I am eminently qualified, as you can see. But that’s not our focus.”
While extending invitations to politicians with various political ambitions to join the NDC across the country, Senator Dickson said the party will provide a broad-based national platform for every qualified Nigerian to aspire and achieve their political dreams, adding: “We want to build a party. So we want to invite everyone. All those who have presidential, governorship, senatorial, House of Reps, state House of Assembly interests, chairmanship and councillorship interests. Come to the Nigeria Democratic Congress. With NDC, the game has changed.”
The lawmaker, who also spoke about the likelihood that the ruling party members could easily infiltrate the new platform as moles, said all Nigerians are free to join the NDC, assuring that the Party is ready to manage any internal challenges that could easily arise in the future.
“We are open for all. If any situation arises, we’ll know how to handle it. But that’s not the least of our worries. We want to attract good people all over this country. And I assure you, with the calibre of people from all over Nigeria that are coming to us, NDC will spring a surprise. We’ll win elections in so many places”, he said
Further noting that NDC is a newly registered party designed as a national political platform, Dickson said the Party should not be confused with the defunct Niger Delta Congress (NDC), adding: “I’m a pan-Nigerian politician. The Niger Delta Congress of old is different from this newly registered party called the Nigeria Democratic Congress. Our own NDC is different from that one. That one was a product of the historical circumstances at that time, when all parties were regional. But Nigeria is far from regional parties now.”
