A leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Henry Seriake Disckson-HSD, has received the letter conferring on him the LEADERSHIP Politician of the Year 2026 Award.
The award letter was presented by the Board and Management of LEADERSHIP Group, led by its Vice Chairman, Mr Mike Okpere.
In his acceptance remarks, HSD thanked the organisation for the honour, saying the recognition extended beyond him and his family to the NDC and supporters of democracy in Nigeria.
He said the decision to establish the NDC was driven by his opposition to the emergence of a one-party state in Nigeria. According to him, he chose to build an alternative political platform rather than join the All Progressives Congress (APC) when his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was facing internal challenges.
“When we started this journey, it was at a very difficult period, and only a few people believed that what we were building could become a formidable political platform,” he said.
HSD claimed that the NDC had since developed into a major opposition platform and thanked Nigerians, party leaders and officials for their support and commitment.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
With candidates selected for the forthcoming general elections, HSD urged party members to focus on mobilising support for candidates across all levels of the ballot.
He appealed to members dissatisfied with the nomination process to set aside their disagreements and work towards the success of the party, warning against what he described as “destructive propaganda” within the organisation.
The NDC leader also called on the President and security agencies to ensure fairness, prevent violence and guarantee that political parties and their candidates could campaign freely across the country.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and democracy advocates to support efforts to conduct free, fair and credible elections.
“Elections should not divide the country or endanger our democracy and national unity. They should unify and dignify the nation,” he said.
HSD further advised politicians to respect the judiciary and avoid involving the courts in every political disagreement, arguing that political disputes should ultimately be resolved at the polls in accordance with democratic principles.
He dedicated the award to the leadership and members of the NDC, as well as Nigerians who had supported the party’s stated commitment to strengthening multiparty democracy.
He also commended LEADERSHIP Group for sustaining the ideals associated with its late Chairman, Sam Nda-Isaiah.
