NDC Primaries: Dickson Says No Endorsed Candidates, Warns Against Personal Interests Over Party Goals
The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has declared that he has not endorsed any aspirant in the party’s ongoing primary elections across the country, urging members to place the overall interest of the party above personal ambitions.
Dickson made the remarks in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
According to him, the leadership of the party has worked tirelessly in recent months to build consensus among stakeholders and ensure a smooth primary process despite the challenges associated with conducting elections in a newly formed political party.
He called on aspirants and party members to demonstrate understanding, cooperation and mutual respect throughout the exercise, noting that primary elections are often characterised by tensions and clashes of interest.
“We are aware that periods of primary elections are often filled with tensions and clashes of interest, and we therefore call for understanding and mutual respect. Aspirants and stakeholders should put the overall interest of the party above personal interests,” he said.
Dickson stressed that all aspirants were entitled to equal treatment and protection under the party, insisting that no candidate had received his endorsement, including in his home state.
“There are no endorsed candidates anywhere. We enjoin everyone to go out and participate freely in the primaries. I call for free and fair elections,” he stated.
The former Bayelsa State governor also appealed for the protection and inclusion of women, youths and persons living with disabilities during the conduct of the primaries.
He acknowledged the sacrifices made by party leaders and members since the formation of the NDC, describing the party as a “miracle baby” that had achieved significant milestones within a short period.
“Everyone should realise that we are a young party, barely three to four months old, but with great ambitions. Some of us, especially members of the leadership, have hardly had proper sleep since January,” Dickson said.
He explained that the party leadership had worked under difficult conditions to meet the deadlines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while thanking Nigerians for their support.
Dickson further assured party members that grievances arising from the primaries would be addressed through an Appeal Committee to be constituted by the leadership.
He reiterated that the current exercise would be the first and last manual primaries conducted by the party, revealing plans to introduce electronic voting and clearer regulations in future elections to minimise complaints and irregularities.
He urged aggrieved aspirants to accept outcomes in good faith or explore the party’s internal appeal mechanisms rather than act in ways that could undermine the unity of the NDC.
“I wish all aspirants the very best of luck,” he added.
