Abuja — Senator Seriake Dickson, National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and former Governor of Bayelsa State, has explained that he turned down the opportunity to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) because he does not want Nigeria to become a one-party state.
Dickson made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja while receiving a formal notification of Leadership Newspaper’s 2026 Politician of the Year award from the newspaper’s management.
The former Bayelsa governor said the decision followed what he described as the weakening and decline of his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Rather than defect to the APC, he chose to help establish the NDC as an alternative political platform aimed at preserving multiparty democracy in the country.
“I did not believe Nigeria should become a one-party state,” Dickson stated. “Months down the line, we have built a formidable party and a major opposition platform in Nigeria.”
He noted that the NDC was formed at a difficult period when many doubted that a new political platform could gain significant traction. According to him, the party has since attracted supporters and political figures across the country and positioned itself as a major opposition force ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dickson expressed appreciation to Nigerians, as well as NDC leaders, members and supporters, for their confidence and commitment to the project. He also acknowledged the contributions of the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates in building the platform.
The comments come amid ongoing political realignments in Nigeria, with several politicians moving to the APC in recent times. Dickson has consistently positioned the NDC as a vehicle for credible opposition, emphasising the need to sustain democratic competition and provide Nigerians with viable alternatives.
No immediate reaction from the APC was available at the time of this report.
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