National Leader of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, on Friday declared that the party has emerged as Nigeria’s fastest-growing political movement, warning that the country “cannot be allowed to slide into a one-party state.”
Dickson spoke at the maiden national convention of the NDC in Abuja, where party leaders formally ratified key resolutions, including zoning the party’s 2027 presidential ticket to the South.
The former Bayelsa State governor said the NDC was founded to defend constitutional democracy, political inclusion and citizens’ freedom of association, insisting that the movement has already altered Nigeria’s political calculations within months of its registration.
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, and then you win,” Dickson said, quoting Mahatma Gandhi.
“A few months ago they ignored the NDC. Then they laughed at the NDC. Now they are attacking the NDC, and that tells you we are winning.”
He described the acceptance of the party across the country as unprecedented for a newly registered political platform.
“This party is barely three months old, yet no political party in Nigeria’s history has enjoyed this level of enthusiasm, trust and acceptance within such a short period,” he stated.
Dickson recounted how efforts to register the party began in 2017 after concerns that opposition politics in Nigeria had become weakened and compromised.
According to him, the party faced several bureaucratic hurdles before approaching the courts to challenge what he described as violations of constitutional rights.
“We approached the courts and judgment was delivered in our favour,” he said.
“That judgment led to the registration of the NDC in February this year.”
He praised the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for upholding democratic rights and complying with the court ruling that enabled the party’s registration.
The senator dismissed claims of internal disputes and pending litigation against the NDC, describing them as deliberate propaganda aimed at discouraging political leaders and supporters from joining the movement.
“There is no appeal, no litigation and no crisis in the NDC,” he declared.
“The NDC is good to go. The NDC has come to stay.”
Dickson also welcomed former Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, into the party, commending them for resisting political pressure and intimidation.
“You are veterans in this democratic struggle and we know the propaganda against this movement will fail,” he said.
He further acknowledged the growing support from both the Obidient Movement and the Kwankwasiyya political structure, describing the alliance as a powerful convergence capable of redefining opposition politics in Nigeria.
In one of the strongest moments of his speech, Dickson defended the party’s decision to zone its presidential ticket to the South in 2027, saying the move was necessary to promote fairness, national balance and stability.
“We have taken a historic resolution to zone the next presidential ticket of our party to the southern part of Nigeria,” he announced.
“We want a balanced Nigeria. We want a Nigeria of equal citizenship, not a Nigeria built on division and grievances.”
He stressed that the NDC was not being built as a temporary electoral coalition, but as a long-term ideological institution.
“We want to build an enduring political party, not a transactional arrangement that changes every election cycle,” he said.
“We want the NDC to outlive all of us.”
Dickson urged Nigerian youths and women to take ownership of the party, insisting that they remain the real beneficiaries of the movement.
“We are only caretakers. The young people and women of Nigeria are the true owners of the NDC,” he said.
Calling for sustained mobilisation ahead of 2027, the senator said the party would take its message of inclusion, national unity, security and economic recovery to every polling unit across the federation.
“Our vision is for a united, productive and safe Nigeria that all citizens will be proud of,” he added.
He concluded by expressing confidence that the party would emerge victorious through collective determination and public support.
“Keep up the faith. Victory will surely be ours,” Dickson said.
2027: Dickson declares NDC Nigeria’s new opposition force, backs Southern presidency
