National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has explained why he chose not to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he did not want Nigeria to move towards a one-party political system.
Dickson spoke in Abuja on Thursday when the management of LEADERSHIP Newspaper, led by its Vice Chairman, Mike Okpere, presented him with the notification of the newspaper’s 2026 Politician of the Year award.
The former Bayelsa State governor said his decision was influenced by the decline of his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Rather than move to the ruling APC, he said he chose to help establish the NDC as another political platform through which Nigerians could have an alternative.
“I did not believe Nigeria should become a one-party state,” Dickson said.
He explained that the decision to build the NDC was taken at a time when there was little expectation that a new political platform could quickly develop into a significant force.
According to Dickson, the party has since expanded and emerged as a major opposition platform.
“Months down the line, we have built a formidable party and a major opposition platform in Nigeria,” he said.
Dickson expressed appreciation to Nigerians and members and supporters of the NDC for supporting the political project.
He also recognised the contributions of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to the development of the NDC.
The NDC leader urged members to put disagreements arising from the party’s nomination process behind them and concentrate on preparations for the 2027 elections.
He called on the party to focus on mobilising support for its candidates and challenging the APC through democratic processes.
Dickson also appealed to President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to provide an environment where political parties and candidates can campaign peacefully and freely.
He urged political actors to respect the judiciary and use democratic and legal channels to resolve political disputes.
The former Bayelsa governor dedicated the LEADERSHIP award to NDC members and Nigerians who, according to him, had supported the party’s efforts to strengthen multiparty democracy.
