Candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) whose names appeared on the list published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have commended the party’s National Leader, Henry Seriake Dickson, for his role in resolving disputes arising from the party’s primaries.
The candidates said Dickson’s interventions helped ease tensions and facilitate the completion of the nomination process, particularly for aspirants seeking election to the Senate and House of Representatives in the 2027 general elections.
The development comes after the NDC concluded its nationwide primaries and subsequently began efforts to reconcile aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders. The party’s leadership had also said it was focused on resolving internal disagreements and preparing for the 2027 elections.
Several aspirants and candidates, in separate remarks, described the former Bayelsa State governor as a stabilising force who helped the party navigate disagreements that followed the primaries.
The NDC candidate for Abia Central Senatorial District and former senator, Nkechi Nwaogu, said Dickson deserved commendation for his leadership during the period of internal disagreements.
“The National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson deserves accolades for the way he navigated the trying times that the primaries, reconciliations and the nomination of candidates were finally concluded. Nobody is perfect but he acted in the interest of our party, NDC,” she said.
Nwaogu also urged aspirants who failed to secure the party’s tickets to remain committed to the NDC and work towards its success in the 2027 elections.
“I appeal to aspirants who did not get tickets to see this as a contest in which those who lost today can win tomorrow. They should work with our party to ensure its victory in the 2027 elections,” she added.
Some of the candidates also dismissed allegations that NDC tickets were sold to the highest bidders, insisting that the primaries were conducted transparently.
According to them, although the exercise was not without challenges, it was “arguably the freest, fairest and most transparent of all the primaries conducted by all the major political parties.”
A Canada-based aspirant who lost the bid for a House of Representatives ticket said Dickson had spent months working to reconcile aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders following the primaries.
“I’m a front-row witness to most of what transpired and I can tell you that all the National Leader has been doing since after the primaries has been settling the misunderstandings that arose either directly from the venues of the primaries or from the handling of the disputes by respective state leaders and stakeholders,” the aspirant said.
He said Dickson did not interfere with the conduct of the primaries but instead concentrated on resolving disagreements that emerged after the exercise.
Similarly, another aspirant from Edo State rejected allegations that candidates paid for NDC tickets.
“I visited the National Leader no fewer than three times with party leaders and aspirants from my state. Not once was the issue of money ever discussed. Nobody can claim he ever gave money to Sen. Dickson,” he said.
The aspirant called on party members to unite behind the NDC’s presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso and support other candidates ahead of the 2027 elections. The party formally affirmed Obi as its presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as his running mate at its special convention in May.
Meanwhile, an unsuccessful House of Representatives aspirant for the Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency in Imo State, Mazi Nnamdi Iroegbu, urged party members to move beyond the primary contests and focus on the party’s success in the general elections.
In a Facebook post following the publication of the INEC list, Iroegbu acknowledged that his name was not included but pledged to remain committed to the party.
“My sincere goodwill further goes to all the candidates of my party, the NDC, and I wish them the very best as they advance.
“Although my aspiration did not materialise this moment, my commitment to the people remains firm, and I will continue to work for the progress of my community.
“I urge all my supporters to continue with their support for NDC from top to bottom, standing firmly behind the party’s leadership and candidates, and ensuring unity, discipline, and active participation during the election processes. Service to the people shall always be our creed,” he said.
