Photo: Senator Seriake Dickson
By: Mandy Park
Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed deep gratitude to supporters across the country, declaring that the party has emerged as the largest national opposition force in Nigeria.
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, the Bayelsa West senator thanked the people of Bayelsa West, Bayelsa State, the Ijaw Nation, the Niger Delta, and Nigerians at home and abroad for their solidarity and prayers “in this journey to rescue our nation’s multi-party democracy”.
Dickson revealed that he had not visited his home state for eight months after attending the funeral of a former deputy governor in January.
During that period, he returned to Abuja, founded the NDC, and built it “block by block” with the backing of well-meaning Nigerians, including presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi and his running mate Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Addressing political tensions, the senator said Nigeria’s multi-party democracy must survive, and expressed trust in the judiciary to “do the right thing according to the law and not allow itself to be used as an instrument to derail democracy”.
He accused some individuals he had previously raised and supported “weaponising the instruments of government” and spread propaganda against him, his family and supporters for almost seven years without justification.
Dickson praised his supporters for remaining resolute despite not seeing him at home, and announced that in the coming weeks he plans to return to Bayelsa with the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, to thank them personally.
He called for “non-violent politics; the politics of ideas”, urging young people, women and community leaders to resist intimidation and turn out peacefully to vote out those who “oppress, ill-treat, and betray their trust”.
Recalling his long political career, the former governor said he had survived false allegations, failed investigations and “federal-might takeovers” over two decades, yet continued to serve.
“The God who stood by me has not fallen asleep or taken ill, neither has He travelled. He is still on His throne,” he added.
The senator reaffirmed his commitment to building a Nigeria founded on justice, freedom, accountability, the rule of law and free and fair elections.
