Former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator, Seriake Dickson, has dismissed claims that supporters of Peter Obi are doing the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) a favour by backing the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time Show, Dickson insisted that the NDC was already an established political force attracting prominent politicians across the country long before Obi and other opposition figures joined its ranks.
The senator revealed that the party offered its presidential ticket to Obi and his running mate without demanding any payment, stressing that the decision reflected the confidence the party leadership had in their candidacy.
According to Dickson, narratives suggesting that the NDC needs Obi more than Obi needs the party are unfair to those who invested time, resources and effort in building the platform.
“There is no one doing NDC a favor,” Dickson said. “Rather, the NDC and my colleagues are doing people a favor by granting our platform to them.”
He also cautioned Obi’s supporters, popularly known as the Obedients, against attacking the party or its leadership while professing loyalty to the former Anambra State governor.
“You cannot be supporting Peter Obi, if you are genuinely supporting him, and at the same time disparaging me, the leader, or the platform itself. That is nonsensical,” he stated.
Dickson argued that political parties are not built overnight and challenged critics who underestimate the effort required to establish a viable political platform.
“If it’s easy for people to form a party, go and form yours,” he said.
The former governor maintained that the NDC had been gaining momentum and attracting influential political figures from different parts of the country before Obi’s arrival, noting that several former governors and notable politicians had already aligned with the party.
He called on supporters, commentators and political stakeholders to accord the NDC the respect it deserves, warning against narratives that portray the party as being reliant on any individual for its relevance or survival.
Dickson reiterated that the strength of the NDC lies in its collective leadership, growing national presence and commitment to providing Nigerians with a credible political alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.
