Dickson inaugurates NDC with strong unity call …NDC will not break under pressure, says founding leader

Former Bayelsa State Governor and founding National Leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has formally unveiled the party at its inaugural national convention, declaring it a resilient political movement built to deepen Nigeria’s democracy.

Speaking to delegates, party leaders, and supporters in the nation’s capital, Dickson welcomed participants to what he described as a historic gathering aimed at affirming and electing the party’s protem national leadership.

“First, they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, and then you win.” — Mahatma Gandhi, he quoted at the opening of his address.

He said the convention marked a turning point for a party that, according to him, had already gained remarkable national acceptance within just three months of existence.

“I join the National Chairman and members of the Protem National Executive Committee to warmly welcome you all, to our inaugural national convention,” he said.

Dickson explained that the NDC was conceived years earlier as an alternative opposition platform to strengthen multi-party democracy in Nigeria, noting that initial registration efforts began as far back as 2017.

He recalled that the party’s formal registration only materialised after legal challenges over alleged bureaucratic delays, culminating in a Federal High Court judgment in December 2025.

“That judgment was duly served on INEC, which complied and issued us our certificate of registration in February this year,” he stated.

He praised the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), particularly its leadership, for complying with court rulings.

“I thank the Judiciary for upholding our constitutional rights. I equally commend INEC and its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN,” he said.

Dickson, however, urged stronger institutional commitment to sustaining Nigeria’s multi-party democracy, insisting that opposition parties must remain viable.

“Nigeria needs a strong party in government and also strong parties in opposition,” he added.

He dismissed claims of legal disputes surrounding the party’s registration, insisting the judgment had been fully implemented.

“There is no appeal, the judgment has been obeyed and implemented fully,” he said.

A major highlight of his speech was the announcement that former Vice President Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso had joined the NDC after consultations.

“About a week ago, two influential figures in our nation’s political history officially joined our party after weeks of consultations and engagements with me,” he said.

He described the development as a significant political alliance, combining experience and national influence.

“This partnership represents a unique convergence of political experience, administrative competence, national reach, and a shared hope for the future of Nigeria,” he said.

Dickson also acknowledged the Obidient Movement and Kwankwasiyya Movement, praising their nationwide support base.

He assured supporters that the coalition would remain committed to its ideological foundation and national objectives.

“All of us gathered here today have a long history of sacrifice and service… and if those pressures did not break us before, they will not break us now,” he said.

The NDC leader said the country was currently facing severe governance challenges, including insecurity, economic hardship, and declining public trust.

“We have assembled at a defining moment. Our duty in the NDC is to reverse these dangerous trends,” he said.

He defined the party’s ideology as rooted in service, inclusion, dialogue, consensus-building, and unity.

“The NDC was founded as an ideological party determined to do politics differently,” he stated.

Addressing opposition parties, he described them as partners in safeguarding democracy.

“You are our co-travellers in the democratic struggle,” he said.

To members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dickson stressed political disagreement should not be mistaken for hostility.

“You are not our enemies. You are fellow citizens with whom we simply disagree politically,” he said.

He outlined a broader vision of building a lasting political institution comparable to major global parties, including the ANC, Congress Party, BJP, and political parties in the United States and United Kingdom.

He criticised the culture of political defections, calling for ideological consistency in Nigerian politics.

“We must bring an end to the culture of politicians jumping from one political party to another without ideological conviction,” he said.

Reflecting on his political journey, Dickson traced his involvement from the late 1990s through opposition politics, governorship, and his current role in the Senate.

“I remained a leading opposition figure… I am not one who is scared of standing alone,” he said.

He emphasised that his political life has been defined by service, conviction, and resistance to pressure to join the ruling party.

“Some of us must make sacrifices to entrench democracy and preserve multi-party politics in Nigeria,” he added.

He warned that a democracy without a credible opposition risks authoritarianism.

“Any political system without a credible opposition is a dictatorship,” he said.

Dickson thanked party organisers, committees, and supporters for what he described as collective effort in building the NDC.

“You have all proven the skeptics wrong. NDC has come to stay!” he declared.

He noted that delegates travelled from across the country despite hardship and intimidation, describing their presence as evidence of national demand for political change.

The convention, he said, would formally affirm party leadership and later begin the process of selecting candidates for future elections, including the presidency.

He urged members to continue mobilisation and avoid violence.

“In the coming weeks and months, we shall take our differences to polling units.

”These differences will be decided at the polling units, and not through violence,” he said.

Dickson concluded with a call for peaceful democratic engagement and national unity.

“God bless the NDC. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.