Candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have commended the party’s National Leader, Henry Seriake Dickson, for his role in reconciling aggrieved members following the party’s primary elections, describing his leadership as pivotal to restoring confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commendations followed the publication of the party’s candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a development many aspirants said marked the end of weeks of uncertainty over the nomination process, particularly for National Assembly candidates.
In separate reactions, the candidates credited Dickson with steering the party through post-primary challenges and ensuring that reconciliation efforts took precedence over internal divisions.
The NDC candidate for Abia Central Senatorial District, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, said the former Bayelsa State governor demonstrated commitment to the party’s overall interest during what she described as a difficult period.
“The National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, deserves accolades for the way he navigated the trying times until the primaries, reconciliations and nomination of candidates were concluded. Nobody is perfect, but he acted in the interest of our party, NDC,” she said.
Nwaogu urged aspirants who were unsuccessful in securing the party’s tickets to accept the outcome in good faith and support the party’s quest for victory 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.
Several candidates also rejected allegations that party tickets were sold to the highest bidders, insisting that the NDC conducted one of the most transparent primary elections among political parties.
A Canada-based aspirant who lost his bid for a House of Representatives ticket said Dickson did not interfere in the conduct of the primaries but instead devoted his efforts to reconciling aggrieved aspirants and party stakeholders after the exercise.
According to him, most of the disputes that emerged after the primaries were rooted in state-level issues rather than decisions taken by the party’s national leadership.
An aspirant from Edo State also dismissed claims that aspirants were required to pay for party tickets, stating that he met Dickson on several occasions alongside other party leaders without any discussion about money.
He described Dickson as a leader who had made considerable personal sacrifices since the formation of the party and urged members to unite behind the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and other candidates seeking elective offices.
Also reacting, Mazi Nnamdi Dickson Iroegbu, who was unsuccessful in his bid to secure the NDC House of Representatives ticket for Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency in Imo State, accepted the outcome and appealed to his supporters to remain committed to the party.
In a Facebook post, Iroegbu congratulated the successful candidates, reaffirmed his commitment to serving his constituency, and called on party members to close ranks and work together to secure victory for the NDC in the 2027 general elections.
With the publication of the candidates’ list by INEC, the party is expected to shift its attention from internal reconciliation to campaign mobilisation as it prepares for the 2027 polls.
