Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has called on party members and aspirants to embrace reconciliation following the party’s recent primary elections, while acknowledging that while the NDC is not perfect, it has performed better than older political parties in the country.
Speaking at the second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party on Wednesday in Abuja, Dickson admitted reports of irregularities during the primaries but maintained that the party had established mechanisms to address grievances in line with its constitution, guidelines and electoral laws.
“We have not started campaigning, but when we start, they will hear from us,” Dickson declared. “Even that party that has been there since 2015, you saw reports from their primaries. So it is not surprising that we had a few reports. The party has set up a system to deal with those issues in accordance with our constitution, guidelines and electoral law.”
The former Bayelsa State governor urged aspirants who were dissatisfied with the outcome of the primaries to remain committed to the party, noting that they had become stakeholders through their contributions and participation.
“Most of you have proven yourselves as financial members of our party, and you have earned the right to become stakeholders. Even if the outcome has not been favourable to you, take it that you may have lost today but may win tomorrow. In whatever has happened, it is the party that has won,” he said.
Dickson announced plans for a nationwide reconciliation process and directed state chairmen and zonal leaders to establish mechanisms for conflict resolution and consensus building.
“We will take on reconciliation and it will be duly announced. I call on all the chairmen, as they get back, to consult with their leaders and put in place a mechanism for resolution, consensus building and reconciliation,” he said.
The NDC leader also unveiled plans to introduce electronic voting for all future party primaries and congresses, describing it as part of the party’s commitment to innovation and transparency.
“This primary will be the first and last manual primary election conducted by the NDC. In the next couple of months, we shall unveil our platform for electronic voting for all primaries and congresses,” he said.
According to Dickson, Nigeria has lagged behind in adopting technology-driven electoral processes, and the NDC intends to lead the way.
“Some of us have been fighting not only for electronic transmission of results but even for electronic voting itself. If Nigeria is not seeing reason and is lagging behind, the NDC will show the way.”
He appealed to party members to remain patient as the relatively new party continues to build its structures and infrastructure.
“We are not claiming perfection. We are just two or three months old and need massive logistics and infrastructure. Even those who claim to be better have done worse. All we require is that you bear with us. That is your sacrifice and contribution to the growth of our party and the strengthening of Nigeria’s democracy,” he added.
Also speaking at the meeting, the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, appealed to members to put aside personal disappointments and focus on the party’s long-term goals.
“Please, I am begging all of us to be more tolerant, understanding and willing to sacrifice. Let us not be occupied with the disappointment of today. Let us look at tomorrow,” Obi said.
He assured members that the party would continue to improve and pledged that an NDC-led government would be inclusive and accommodating.
“As I say in every meeting of this party, when we are opportune to form government, we will show that the party is supreme and we will have a sense of accommodation for all,” he stated.
Obi also expressed concern over the nation’s worsening security situation, citing frequent reports of kidnappings, killings and school closures.
“Every day I read about Nigeria, it is bad news. Everybody wakes up hearing the next news about people being kidnapped or killed. Schools are closed across Nigeria and our children can no longer go to school,” he lamented.
The former Anambra State governor announced plans to embark on visits across the country to engage directly with party members and ordinary Nigerians.
“You cannot assess Nigeria from Abuja. You must assess it from our villages. I want to see those bad roads and those schools where our children learn without proper buildings. That is where we want to go,” he said.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the NDC, Dr. Cleopas Zuwoghe, described the rapid growth of the party as extraordinary, noting that within two months of its registration, it had conducted membership registration, congresses, a convention and primary elections.
“The party is just two months old, and within that period we have conducted primaries and produced the best presidential candidate in this country,” he said.
Cleopas likened the NDC to the biblical Noah’s Ark, expressing confidence that the party would play a historic role in rescuing Nigeria from its current challenges.
“The Noah’s Ark never missed its navigational lines. It never lost any destiny that found its way into it. That is why I have a strong conviction that this NDC, which has been likened to our generational Noah’s Ark, shall not fail until Nigeria is delivered,” he said.
While admitting that no human endeavour could be perfect, the chairman praised party officials and members for successfully conducting the primaries without any reported casualties.
“There is nowhere this kind of political struggle occurs without some level of dissatisfaction. But there was no casualty recorded. Everyone who travelled for party assignments returned safely. This too can be the hand of God,” he added.
The meeting was attended by new decampees including former Deputy Senate President Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, Sen. Nkechi Nwogu, members of the state executive committees and other party leaders. Authority.
