Former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has reaffirmed the commitment of the National Democratic Congress to transparent internal democracy and party unity ahead of forthcoming elections.
Dickson made the remarks in a statement shared on his Facebook page on Monday after hosting a dinner meeting for governorship and National Assembly aspirants of the party.
The meeting was attended by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, while former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was absent due to what Dickson described as important party engagements in Kano State ahead of the primaries.
According to Dickson, the gathering provided an opportunity to appreciate aspirants and party members for believing in the vision and ideals of the NDC despite skepticism that greeted the party’s formation.
He stated that within a few months of its establishment, the NDC has grown into one of the country’s fastest-rising opposition platforms.
Dickson also commended party officials and members for their sacrifices and dedication toward the growth of the party, while praising the Screening Committee chaired by former governor and senator, Sam Egwu, for conducting the screening of aspirants over the past week.
He explained that the inauguration of a Selection Committee headed by the party’s National Chairman was aimed at institutionalising transparency, consultation, and strategic planning within the nomination process.
According to him, the committee would review reports from the screening exercise, consult widely with stakeholders, and make recommendations based on competence, local political realities, and the overall interest of the party.
Dickson further urged aspirants to embrace consensus arrangements wherever possible in order to minimise internal disputes and strengthen party unity ahead of the elections.
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He, however, assured members that democratic primaries would be conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution and guidelines where consensus could not be achieved.
The former governor stressed that the NDC was being developed as a long-term ideological political institution and not “a platform for opportunistic and transactional politics.”
He disclosed that the party was compiling a database of aspirants and supporters who have contributed to its growth, adding that many of them would play active roles in future campaign structures and strategic committees.
Dickson further announced plans to introduce electronic systems into future primary elections to improve transparency and credibility, noting that the current manual process was adopted due to time limitations before the elections.
He concluded by appreciating aspirants who travelled from different parts of the country despite insecurity and economic hardship, while assuring them that all donations and support received by the party would be prudently managed for the advancement of the NDC’s vision for Nigeria.
