Dickson Explains Why He Rejected APC, Chose to Build NDC

National leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Seriake Dickson, has explained why he rejected the option of joining the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, amid the crisis in his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, said he was unwilling to support any political arrangement that could turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

He spoke on Thursday when the management of Leadership Newspaper visited him in Abuja to present him with the notification of his selection as the newspaper’s Politician of the Year 2026.

Reflecting on the circumstances that led to the formation of the NDC, Dickson said the crisis and decline within the PDP influenced his decision to pursue a different political direction rather than defect to the APC.

He said the decision was taken at a difficult period when the prospects of building a strong opposition platform appeared uncertain.

“I did not believe Nigeria should become a one-party state,” Dickson said.

The former governor explained that his decision was driven by the need to preserve political competition and provide Nigerians with an alternative platform through which they could participate in the democratic process.

Rather than join an existing political party, Dickson said he and his associates decided to establish a new organisation capable of challenging the ruling party.

He expressed confidence in the progress recorded by the NDC since its emergence, saying the party had developed into a major opposition platform within a relatively short period.

“Months down the line, we have built a formidable party and a major opposition platform in Nigeria,” he said.

Dickson also acknowledged the contributions of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to the development of the NDC ahead of the 2027 general election.

The NDC leader urged members of the party to remain united and put disagreements arising from the nomination process behind them, stressing the need to focus on building the party and mobilising support ahead of the election.

He also called on political parties to allow candidates to campaign freely and urged President Bola Tinubu, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.

Dickson maintained that political disagreements should be resolved through democratic processes and the ballot box, rather than actions capable of weakening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.