National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, says he turned down the option of joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) because he did not want Nigeria to become a one-party state.
Dickson spoke in Abuja on Thursday when the management of LEADERSHIP Newspaper, led by its Vice Chairman, Mike Okpere, visited him to present the notification of his selection as the newspaper’s 2026 Politician of the Year.
The former Bayelsa State governor said his decision was influenced by what he described as the weakening of his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Rather than defect to the ruling APC, Dickson said he chose to support the creation of the NDC as an alternative political platform and contribute to the preservation of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
“I did not believe Nigeria should become a one-party state,” Dickson said.
He said the decision to form a new political party was made at a period when few people expected a new platform to develop into a major force in the country.
According to Dickson, the NDC has since expanded into what he described as a formidable opposition platform.
“Months down the line, we have built a formidable party and a major opposition platform in Nigeria,” he said.
The NDC leader expressed gratitude to Nigerians, alongside the party’s leaders, members and supporters, for their backing of the political project.
He also recognised the roles played by the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in the development of the NDC.
Dickson urged party members to put disagreements surrounding the nomination process behind them and focus their attention on the 2027 elections.
He called on the NDC to concentrate on mobilising support for its candidates and opposing 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 without hindrance.
He further urged political actors to respect the judiciary and resolve political disagreements through democratic channels.
Dickson dedicated the LEADERSHIP award to NDC members and Nigerians whom he said had supported the party’s efforts to strengthen the country’s multiparty democratic system.