The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has described the party as a credible alternative for Nigerians.
Speaking on Wednesday, when he hosted members of the NDC Screening Committee, Dickson said the NDC has grown remarkably in a short time and has attracted a large number of aspirants seeking to contest the 2027 elections on the party’s platform.
The former Governor of Bayelsa State, however, charged the screening committee members to be fair in their approach to the exercise and to avoid arbitrary disqualification of aspirants.
According to him, the NDC must try to avoid rancorous primaries.
“Today, I met with members of the NDC Screening Committee, made up of party leaders, professionals, as well as members of the National Working Committee, set up to interface with aspirants seeking our party’s tickets for the various elective offices.
“During the meeting, I expressed my delight at the remarkable growth of the NDC and the increasing confidence Nigerians across the country continue to place in our party. I noted that the large number of aspirants seeking to contest on the platform of the NDC for various offices is a clear indication that the party has become a credible alternative platform for democratic change and national renewal.
“I reminded members of the committee that their responsibility is a very important one and urged them to approach the assignment with fairness, wisdom, and a proper understanding of the local political realities in every state and constituency. I emphasized that the committee should not see itself as a panel for arbitrary disqualification, but rather as a body that will engage aspirants constructively, encourage consensus in cases where there is more than one aspirant in order to avoid rancorous primaries, and prepare comprehensive “reports that will guide the party in its eventual selection process,” he wrote on his 𝕏 Account.
Tickets Will Be Based On Merit
Speaking further, Dickson said candidates who will fly the NDC flags for the 2027 elections would emerge based on a transparent and merit-driven process.
He stressed that the party would not just hand out its tickets arbitrarily.
“I also reiterated that in the NDC, tickets will not be gifted arbitrarily, as our party remains committed to consultation, merit, competence, and the wishes of stakeholders and the electorate at the grassroots.
“I thanked all aspirants for their trust and belief in the NDC and assured them that they remain valued stakeholders in the movement we are collectively building. I also thanked members of the Screening Committee, who are highly respected and experienced individuals, for undertaking this important assignment,” the Bayelsa West Senator added.
Rivers State Stakeholders
Dickson also disclosed that he met with NDC stakeholders from Rivers State, and they had productive engagements ahead of the election season.
He reiterated the need for the party to build a transparent, inclusive, and people-oriented political culture, which he said would be a foundation for the party’s growth.
“It was also a pleasure to receive NDC stakeholders from Rivers State, with whom I had a productive interaction. I encouraged them to continue to uphold the ideals and vision of the NDC while working diligently to strengthen the party’s structure across the state ahead of the election season.
“The future of our party depends greatly on our ability to build a transparent, inclusive, and people-oriented political culture. With the commitment and sacrifice of our members across the country, we remain confident that the NDC will continue to grow stronger and offer Nigerians the credible leadership they desire.
“Again, I thank the members of the committee for their sacrifice and for bringing their wealth of experience to bear on this important assignment,” the statement concluded.