National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has explained that he declined to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) because he did not want Nigeria to drift towards a one-party political system.
Dickson, a former Bayelsa State governor, spoke in Abuja on Thursday when the management of LEADERSHIP Newspaper visited him over his selection as the newspaper’s 2026 Politician of the Year.
He said the decline and internal challenges within his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), influenced his decision to pursue a new political platform rather than join the APC.
According to Dickson, establishing the NDC was aimed at providing Nigerians with another platform and strengthening multiparty democracy.
“I did not believe Nigeria should become a one-party state.” He said.
Dickson said the NDC had grown into what he described as a formidable opposition platform within months of its emergence.
He also acknowledged the contributions of NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and Vice-Presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the development of the party.
“Months down the line, we have built a formidable party and a major opposition platform in Nigeri.” He added.
The NDC leader urged members to put disagreements arising from the nomination process behind them and focus on mobilising support for the party’s candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He further called on political actors to respect democratic institutions, while urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security agencies to ensure a peaceful environment for parties and candidates to campaign freely.
