Photo : Senator Seriake Dickson
By Mandy Park
Candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress have commended the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, following the publication of the party’s candidates’ list by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The candidates, particularly those contesting seats in the National Assembly, said the publication had eased concerns arising from the delay in releasing the list.
Several of them also credited the former Bayelsa State governor with helping to resolve disagreements that followed the party’s primaries, reconciliation exercises and nomination processes.
A statement issued by supporters of the candidates quoted the NDC candidate for Abia Central Senatorial District, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, as commending Dickson for his role in navigating the party through the processes.
Nwaogu, a former member of the Senate, said, “The National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, deserves accolades for the way he navigated the trying times that the primaries, reconciliations and the nomination of candidates were finally concluded.
“Nobody is perfect, but he acted in the interest of our party, NDC.”
She also appealed to aspirants who failed to secure the party’s tickets to support the candidates and work towards the success of the party in the 2027 elections.
“I appeal to aspirants who did not get tickets to see this as a contest in which those who lost today can win tomorrow. They should work with our party to ensure its victory in the 2027 elections,” she said.
Some of the candidates and aspirants also dismissed allegations that the party’s tickets were sold to the highest bidders, describing the primaries as transparent.
A Canada-based aspirant who lost his bid for a House of Representatives ticket said Dickson had been involved in resolving disagreements that emerged from the primaries.
He said Dickson’s role largely involved reconciling aspirants and stakeholders after disputes emerged from the conduct of the primaries and subsequent handling of complaints at the state level.
The aspirant said, “All the National Leader has been doing since after the primaries has been settling the misunderstandings that arose either directly from the venues of the primaries or from the handling of the disputes by respective state leaders and stakeholders.
“None of these issues was created by the National Leader, who, by the way, did not interfere with the work of either the respective state stakeholders or the various committees sent by the party to conduct the primaries.”
Similarly, an Edo State-based aspirant said he had met Dickson several times alongside other party leaders and aspirants but claimed that money was never discussed during the meetings.
According to him, Dickson had made sacrifices to stabilise the party since its formation.
He urged NDC members and candidates to close ranks and work for the party’s candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the publication of the candidates’ list should mark the beginning of a new phase for the party, with members expected to focus on the campaigns rather than disagreements arising from the primaries.
Also reacting to the development, Mazi Nnamdi Dickson Iroegbu, who failed to secure the NDC House of Representatives ticket for the Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency of Imo State, said he had accepted the outcome and would continue to support the party.
Iroegbu, in a Facebook post following the publication of the candidates’ list, said his name was absent from the list but that his commitment to his community remained unchanged.
He congratulated the candidates and urged his supporters to continue backing the party’s leadership and candidates.
He wrote, “Although my aspiration did not materialize this moment, my commitment to the people remains firm, and I will continue to work for the progress of my community.
“I urge all my supporters to continue with their support for NDC from top to bottom, standing firmly behind the party’s leadership and candidates, and ensuring unity, discipline, and active participation during the election processes.”
Iroegbu added that service to the people remained his guiding principle.
The development comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections, with INEC expected to proceed with the statutory processes relating to the election timetable and candidates.
