ABUJA, Nigeria – National Leader of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has acknowledged irregularities in the party’s recently concluded primaries, while calling on aspirants and members to remain united as the party navigates challenges associated with its rapid growth and limited time to prepare for the elections.
Speaking during an interview with Arise TV on Wednesday night, Dickson sympathised with aspirants who expressed concerns about the conduct of the primaries. He admitted that the exercise was not perfect but argued that the challenges were understandable given the circumstances facing the young political party.
According to him, the NDC, which was established only four months ago, has had to undertake membership registration, congresses, a national convention, primary elections, appeals processes, and reconciliation efforts within a compressed electoral timetable.
While acknowledging shortcomings, Dickson urged aggrieved aspirants to be patient with the party, noting that even larger and more established political parties have experienced similar difficulties in conducting direct primaries.
He blamed many of the challenges on provisions of Nigeria’s Electoral Act, particularly the compulsory direct primary system, arguing that complaints about irregularities have been widespread across political parties and are not unique to the NDC.
“As a matter of fact, considering the age of the NDC and the teeming number of aspirants we have had to manage, we have done quite well,” he said.
The NDC leader also dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that winners had emerged from the party’s primaries, stressing that no official results had yet been announced.
He urged members of the public to disregard unofficial claims and await formal communication from the party through appropriate channels.
“The results of party primaries are not announced like school results; they are communicated through formal channels,” he stated.
To address grievances arising from the exercise, Dickson disclosed that the party’s second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting recently approved the establishment of a Reconciliation Committee. The committee will work with state caucus leaders and other stakeholders to manage complaints and foster unity within the party.
Looking ahead, he revealed plans to modernise the party’s electoral processes, stating that future primaries would be technology-driven.
“This is our first set of primaries, and it will also be the last to be conducted manually,” he said.
Dickson thanked party supporters for their financial contributions and sacrifices, noting that the NDC remains entirely self-funded and operates without the support of government resources.
He also called on members to avoid internal conflicts and rally behind the party’s candidates at all levels ahead of the elections.
The NDC leader reaffirmed his commitment to the party’s presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, describing both men as partners in the party’s broader political project.
He further urged state caucus leaders and stakeholders who coordinated the primaries to take responsibility for resolving disputes, noting that many of the candidates emerged through recommendations made at the state level.
“It is not a time to shift blame or dodge responsibilities,” he said. “Those who managed the primaries should equally support the reconciliation process.”
Despite the challenges, Dickson expressed confidence that the NDC would emerge stronger and more united, thanking Nigerians for their trust and support while assuring members that ongoing disagreements would be resolved through dialogue and reconciliation.
