The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, says the party remains open to discussions with other opposition groups ahead of the 2027 general elections, while expressing optimism that any coalition talks could eventually rally support behind the NDC’s candidates.
Dickson made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, when asked whether the party would consider aligning with other opposition figures, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
“As an opposition leader, we will be open. Our party, the NDC, will be open to conversations within that space,” he said.
“But it is not for me or anyone to pre-empt those discussions. We hope that whatever discussions take place will lead to the NDC candidates being backed because we know the value of the candidates we are putting forward.
“We are not claiming superiority. After the nomination process has ended, we will move into another phase of discussions. Whether there will be an agreement, I don’t know. We will try. Where it will lead, I don’t know, but all those options remain open.”
Coalition talks gather momentum
His comments come amid renewed efforts by opposition parties to build alliances ahead of the 2027 elections. In recent months, opposition realignments have gained traction, with prominent political figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi reportedly engaging under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) platform.
While Atiku emerged as the ADC’s presidential flag bearer, Obi later exited the arrangement following internal disputes and legal challenges, eventually becoming the NDC’s presidential candidate.
The ADC has also faced legal and organisational challenges, including court cases over its leadership structure and attempts to deregister the party—developments that have deepened uncertainty within opposition ranks and complicated efforts to form a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
‘APC will be defeated’ — Dickson
Despite the tensions, Dickson expressed confidence that the APC could be defeated if Nigerians are allowed to freely choose their leaders.
“As leader of the NDC, and as a Nigerian who understands the feelings and yearnings of Nigerians, and who also knows that their aspirations have not been met, we believe that the APC government, not just the President, will be defeated massively,” he said.
He added: “Allow every party that wants to contest. You can only defeat them in an electoral contest. So let us have a free and fair election.”
President Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi were the main contenders in the 2023 presidential election, which Tinubu won with over eight million votes, while Obi and Atiku each secured more than six million votes.
Dickson also dismissed a lawsuit seeking the deregistration of the NDC, describing it as “frivolous” and politically motivated.
He insisted the case would not affect the party’s participation in future elections, adding that all NDC candidates remain validly nominated and expressing confidence in both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary.
According to him, all NDC candidates “will appear on the ballot.”
The former Bayelsa State governor also rejected claims challenging the party’s logo, arguing that no individual or organisation could claim exclusive ownership of the peace symbol, which he said has been used globally for decades by figures such as Obafemi Awolowo, Nelson Mandela, Aminu Kano, and Mahatma Gandhi.
He maintained that the NDC complied fully with constitutional and legal requirements during its registration and described the court case as a distraction from more pressing national issues.
