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From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
Candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) whose names appeared on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s published list have commended the party’s National Leader, Henry Seriake Dickson, for his role in resolving disputes arising from the party’s primaries and steering the process to completion.
The candidates said Dickson’s interventions helped calm tensions that followed delays in the publication of the party’s candidates, particularly those seeking election into the Senate and House of Representatives ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Several aspirants and candidates, in separate remarks, described the former Bayelsa State governor as a stabilising force who ensured the party concluded its nomination process despite internal disagreements.
The NDC candidate for Abia Central Senatorial District, a former senator, Nkechi Nwaogu, said Dickson deserved commendation for the leadership he displayed throughout the process.
“The National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson deserves accolades for the way he navigated the trying times that the primaries, reconciliations and the nomination of candidates were finally concluded. Nobody is perfect but he acted in the interest of our party, NDC,” she said.
Nwaogu urged aspirants who did not secure tickets to remain committed to the party.
“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.
Some candidates also dismissed allegations that party tickets were sold to the highest bidders, insisting that the primaries were transparent.
According to them, while the exercise was not without challenges, it was “arguably the freest, fairest and most transparent of all the primaries conducted by all the major political parties.”
A Canada-based aspirant who lost the bid for a House of Representatives ticket also said that Dickson spent months reconciling aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders after the primaries.
“I’m a front-row witness to most of what transpired and I can tell you that all the National Leader has been doing since after the primaries has been settling the misunderstandings that arose either directly from the venues of the primaries or from the handling of the disputes by respective state leaders and stakeholders,” the aspirant said.
He added that Dickson did not interfere with the conduct of the primaries but instead focused on resolving disputes after the exercise.
Similarly, another aspirant from Edo State also rejected allegations that aspirants paid for tickets.
“I visited the National Leader no fewer than three times with party leaders and aspirants from my state. Not once was the issue of money ever discussed. Nobody can claim he ever gave money to Sen. Dickson,” he said.
The aspirant also called on party members to unite behind the NDC presidential ticket of Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as other candidates of the party.
Meanwhile, an unsuccessful House of Representatives aspirant for Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency in Imo State, Mazi Nnamdi Iroegbu, urged party members to move beyond the primaries and work for the party’s success in the 2027 elections.
In a Facebook post following the publication of the INEC list, Iroegbu acknowledged that his name was omitted but pledged to remain loyal to the party.
“My sincere goodwill further goes to all the candidates of my party, the NDC, and I wish them the very best as they advance.
“Although my aspiration did not materialise this moment, my commitment to the people remains firm, and I will continue to work for the progress of my community.
“I urge all my supporters to continue with their support for NDC from top to bottom, standing firmly behind the party’s leadership and candidates, and ensuring unity, discipline, and active participation during the election processes. Service to the people shall always be our creed,” he said.
