A former Governor of Bayelsa State and National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Henry Seriake Dickson, is set to inaugurate the party’s 21-member Selection Committee on Monday in Abuja as part of ongoing preparations for the forthcoming general elections.
The inauguration comes amid the party’s efforts to strengthen its internal processes and streamline the emergence of candidates for elective positions across the country.
According to a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the move follows the conclusion of screening exercises conducted for governorship, National Assembly, and State Houses of Assembly aspirants.
The statement explained that the committee was established to reinforce transparency, credibility, and internal democracy within the party’s candidate selection framework.
“The Committee, which was constituted last week, in furtherance of NDC’s avowed commitment to transparency, internal democracy, and credible candidate selection, is mandated to review, scrutinise, and consider the reports and recommendations of the National Screening Committee and the State Houses of Assembly Screening Committees,” the statement noted.
The party added that the committee would also make final decisions regarding the outcomes of the screening exercises for aspirants nationwide.
The 21-member committee will be chaired by the NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, and was described as part of broader electoral preparations initiated by the party leadership in line with directives from Dickson.
According to the statement, the committee is expected to help position the party for a strong outing in the elections by ensuring that only qualified and formidable candidates emerge for all contested offices.
“It is to ensure that the NDC presents the most formidable candidate for every position to be contested in the general election,” the statement added.
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Meanwhile, Dickson is also expected to host an Aspirants Dinner later on Monday in Abuja, bringing together screened aspirants and other party stakeholders.
In a separate statement, the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, said the gathering was aimed at promoting unity and strengthening engagement among party members and supporters.
“The National Leader and the party’s hierarchy hope to use the event to meet with the aspirants as well as other stakeholders who have not only put their faith and destiny in the NDC, but have also been working round the clock to take the party to all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, and even the Diaspora,” he said.
Enekweizu further stated that the dinner aligns with the party’s vision of inclusiveness and cohesion.
“It is part of our vision of making the NDC one true united and closely knit family, where everyone is important,” he added.
The party noted that attendance at the dinner would be strictly by invitation.