- Seriake Dickson resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party and joined the newly formed Nigeria Democratic Congress
- The senator said his priority was to help build the new party into a credible national platform rather than pursue a presidential bid against Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027
- He also warned that Nigeria could not function as a one-party state and urged politicians nationwide to join the NDC
Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Seriake Dickson, has said he has no immediate plans to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, stating that his priority is to help build a strong political platform rather than pursue personal political ambition.
Dickson made the remarks while addressing journalists at his residence in Abuja shortly after confirming his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and announcing his decision to join the newly formed Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The former Bayelsa State governor explained that his immediate focus, alongside other political actors, is to strengthen the NDC into a credible national platform capable of attracting Nigerians from different political backgrounds.
According to him, the emerging political movement aims to build enough support to eventually contest for power at the national level.
“We are working towards taking over power at the centre, and it is achievable. Political parties are built by people, not merely by their names,” Dickson said.
He added that the current political climate in Nigeria suggests that a credible political platform could gain widespread support, particularly considering the public sentiment that followed the 2023 general elections.
“If you reflect on the dynamics of the 2023 elections, you will see the level of anger, hunger and frustration among Nigerians. With the right platform and credibility, anything is possible,” he stated.
Responding to speculation that his move to the NDC was part of a strategy to challenge Tinubu in 2027, the senator dismissed the suggestion, emphasising that discussions about presidential ambitions are not the party’s immediate priority.
“Our focus right now is not about who will run for president. My colleagues and I are concentrating on building a credible political platform that Nigerians can identify with,” he said.
Dickson also downplayed ongoing debates around zoning and political permutations for the next presidential race, arguing that politicians should focus more on strengthening party structures and democratic institutions.
“Politics is much broader than arguments about zoning or which region should produce the next president. Our priority is to build a party first. We do not want to repeat the mistakes other parties have made,” he explained.
The lawmaker added that conversations about candidates would naturally emerge at the appropriate time.
“For now, I am not focused on the presidency, even though I am eminently qualified. Our attention is on building the party,” he said.
Dickson used the opportunity to invite politicians across the country with varying political ambitions to join the NDC, describing the party as an open platform for Nigerians seeking elective offices at different levels.
“We are building a party that welcomes everyone, those aspiring to become president, governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, state legislators, as well as chairmanship and councillorship candidates. With the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the political landscape has changed,” he said.
Addressing concerns that members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) might infiltrate the new platform as political moles, Dickson maintained that the NDC remains open to all Nigerians while assuring that any internal issues would be effectively managed.
“We are open to everyone. If issues arise, we will know how to address them. Our main goal is to attract credible people from across the country,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the calibre of individuals aligning with the party would enable it to perform strongly in future elections.
“With the quality of people aligning with us nationwide, the NDC will surprise many. We believe we can win elections in several parts of the country,” he added.
Dickson also clarified that the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress should not be confused with the defunct Niger Delta Congress, noting that the new party is designed as a national political movement rather than a regional platform.
“I am a pan-Nigerian politician. The Niger Delta Congress of the past is completely different from this newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress,” he said.
The senator had earlier announced his resignation from the PDP, citing what he described as deepening internal crises and poor leadership within the party. At the briefing, he lamented that the party, which once dominated Nigeria’s political landscape, had weakened significantly due to internal conflicts.
Despite leaving the PDP, Dickson acknowledged his emotional attachment to the party because of the role it played in Nigeria’s democratic development.
However, he blamed the party’s current predicament largely on the actions of some leaders, particularly governors.
“The governors and other party leaders must accept responsibility for the avoidable and self-inflicted damage that has weakened the PDP,” he said.
Dickson also warned against the possibility of Nigeria drifting towards a one-party system, arguing that the country’s diversity makes such a political structure impractical.
“Nigeria cannot function as a one-party state. Anyone advocating for that idea is pursuing an illusion,” he cautioned.