Senator Seriake Dickson, former Bayelsa State governor and founder of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), has expressed appreciation to Nigerians for what he described as growing nationwide support for the party.
Dickson said the increasing confidence in the NDC has been central to its progress since inception, noting that recent developments within the party have further strengthened its position.
“I thank Nigerians across all parts of our country for their growing support and confidence in us and in the NDC.
”That trust has been the most important currency driving the party from its early days up until now, especially with the recent addition of my two distinguished colleagues,” he said.
He described the party’s current phase as a “powerful convergence” of leadership, combining his role as an organiser with the influence of other prominent political figures and grassroots leaders across the country.
“What we are witnessing is a powerful convergence: my role as a party organiser and builder, alongside two political heavyweights with immense grassroots support, popularity and political experience, as well as several other leaders all coming together under one platform,” Dickson stated.
The former governor reiterated that the NDC is being built as an ideological political party with long-term sustainability.
He said the vision is to establish a structure comparable to globally recognised political institutions.
“As I have consistently stated, our goal in the NDC is to build an ideological political party, one that can be compared to the ANC in its finest years in South Africa, as well as established political parties across Europe, America, India and even the Communist Party of China in terms of stability, structure, and the ability to endure beyond its founders for generations to come,” he added.
Dickson emphasised inclusivity as a core principle of the party, highlighting its focus on youth and women, as well as its commitment to mentorship and public service.
“The NDC is a party with a special place for young people and women designed to serve the people, not just the big, strong, and powerful, but also the ordinary and the vulnerable,” he said.
Addressing questions about the party’s origins, Dickson pointed to documentation indicating that the NDC’s registration process began in 2017 and had received initial approval from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before being halted.
He explained that the process was revived and updated when party registration resumed in the previous year.
He also referenced internal records, including an early 2017 search for a suitable party logo, as part of efforts to establish the party’s identity.
Dickson acknowledged that a project of such scale would inevitably attract criticism and misinformation, urging Nigerians to remain focused.
“With my experience in politics, I am fully aware that an ambitious project of this nature will attract distractions, rumours, gossip, propaganda, and even blackmail, I therefore urge Nigerians to discountenance and ignore such propaganda about the NDC or any of its leaders,” he said.
He called for active participation in the party’s activities.
“I call on all Nigerians to join the NDC, register, participate, and contest elections. Together, let us reclaim and rebuild our country, ” he said.
