NDC Rules Out Merger With Opposition Coalition – Dickson

The national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has ruled out any plan by the party to merge into the G-100 opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, disclosed this during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday.

He said the NDC would contest the 2027 election under its own platform but remained willing to collaborate with other opposition parties and political groups.

“We are going to the election as NDC. If other parties and candidates support us, as we think they should, well and good, but we are working to win the election,” Dickson said.

He acknowledged the efforts of members of the G-100 opposition coalition, describing them as “great Nigerians doing a great job,” while noting that the NDC was aware of their activities.

Dickson said the party, in principle, supported the coalition’s objective of strengthening the opposition and had called for the emergence of a single presidential candidate to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, he maintained that the NDC believed it had a strong political platform and an appealing ticket capable of attracting support from Nigerians at home and abroad.

“The NDC has the most exciting ticket. We have the most vibrant ticket. We have an appealing ticket. We have a balanced ticket. We have a ticket that resonates with the Nigerian people at home and abroad,” he said.

The former governor stressed that the NDC remained committed to working with other political parties despite its decision to retain its identity and contest the election independently.

He pointed to recent engagements between the party and other political groups as evidence of its willingness to cooperate, noting that the NDC presidential candidate had recently attended a campaign rally organised by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Dickson’s position comes as opposition parties and political groups intensify discussions on possible alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

While the NDC appears open to strategic cooperation, its decision to retain its platform could shape ongoing efforts to forge a broader opposition alliance capable of presenting a formidable challenge to the APC.