NDC LEADER ACKNOWLEDGES PRIMARY IRREGULARITIES
The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has called on party members and supporters to avoid internal disputes and remain focused on strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
Dickson made the appeal in a statement issued on Thursday following his appearance on ARISE TV, where he addressed concerns surrounding alleged irregularities in the party’s recently concluded primary elections.
The former Bayelsa State governor acknowledged that some aspirants were dissatisfied with aspects of the exercise but urged them to remain committed to the party despite the challenges encountered.
“We are not claiming that the exercise was perfect, but members should bear with the party considering the circumstances we are managing, which have overwhelmed even bigger political parties,” he said.
RAPID PARTY GROWTH CITED AS CHALLENGE
According to Dickson, the NDC, which is barely four months old, has had to conduct membership registration, congresses, national conventions, primaries and appeal processes within a limited timeframe.
He explained that the compressed electoral schedule contributed significantly to the challenges experienced during the primaries.
DICKSON FAULTS COMPULSORY DIRECT PRIMARIES
The senator attributed some of the difficulties encountered to provisions of the Electoral Act that mandate direct primaries for political parties.
He argued that the policy had created unnecessary complications for parties and maintained that concerns raised by aspirants were not unique to the NDC.
Dickson noted that several other political parties had also faced similar complaints during their primary elections.
PARTY URGES MEMBERS TO IGNORE UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
The NDC leader advised members and the public to disregard any unofficial results circulating on social media, insisting that the party had not yet announced winners from the primaries.
According to him, all official outcomes would be communicated through the appropriate party channels after due process has been completed.
RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS GRIEVANCES
Dickson disclosed that the party’s National Executive Committee had approved the establishment of a reconciliation committee to address complaints and grievances arising from the primary elections.
He added that the party intends to improve its future electoral processes through the adoption of technology.
“This is our first set of primaries, and it will also be the last to be conducted manually. Future primaries will be technologically driven and will eliminate many of these challenges,” he said.
DICKSON REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR OBI-KWANKWASO TICKET
The former governor called on all party members to rally behind NDC candidates at every level, stressing that unity and discipline would be critical to the party’s success in 2027.
He also reaffirmed his support for the party’s presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, describing both men as partners in a shared political project aimed at providing alternative leadership for Nigerians.
Dickson urged supporters to put aside differences and work collectively toward achieving the party’s objectives ahead of the next general election.