Author: Gabby

Senator Seriake Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, has firmly dismissed claims that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) sells its nomination tickets to the highest bidders. However, he conceded that the party’s recently concluded primaries were not without flaws.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, Dickson emphasized that the NDC is actively addressing concerns raised by members in states like Edo and Imo, where aspirants have voiced complaints about irregularities and breaches of electoral guidelines. He stated, “I have never claimed that the primary process was perfect. Far from it.”

Dickson noted that the party had initially planned to implement electronic voting to boost transparency but lacked the necessary time and logistics. He pointed out that direct primaries, as mandated by Nigeria’s electoral framework, significantly complicated matters, especially for a new party with many aspirants. “In many cases, there were 15 or 20 aspirants seeking the same position, which naturally created intense competition and disputes,” he explained.

Regarding allegations that party structures in some states have been captured by influential individuals controlling access to tickets, Dickson argued that no evidence supports such claims at the national leadership level. He was emphatic: “The NDC does not sell nomination forms or tickets based on wealth. Nobody has come forward with evidence that the National Working Committee or the national leadership collected money in exchange for tickets.”

Nevertheless, he acknowledged that financial resources play a role in politics. “In politics, resources matter. Every political party considers whether an aspirant has the capacity and resources to run a viable campaign,” he said, stressing that this should not be mistaken for commercializing party tickets. Dickson concluded that while internal disagreements exist, they are being managed within the party’s structures and should not be seen as a sign of systemic collapse.

Seriake Dickson, the former Bayelsa State Governor and National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has once again spoken out against the compulsory direct primary system in Nigeria. He believes it is a key cause of infighting and numerous grievances within political parties.

During a recent interview on Arise Television, Dickson argued that requiring all parties to use direct primaries was a mistake in the Electoral Act. He said it takes away their ability to decide how to pick candidates. In his view, parties should have the freedom to choose between direct and indirect primaries. Forcing one method on everyone creates unnecessary friction.

He pointed out that the old delegate system worked better because it provided more order and control. That system reduced disagreements and limited how many people could challenge the results. Under the current system, Dickson noted, there is an overwhelming number of complaints. The reforms were meant to improve democracy, but they have brought serious logistical and administrative problems instead.

The former governor also highlighted how difficult it is for INEC to manage all the ward-level voting required by direct primaries. This is especially hard for new or small political parties. Furthermore, he explained that direct primaries allow many candidates to claim victory based on their own versions of the results. This leads to multiple people announcing wins and creating disputes. He said, “In a direct primary situation, people go into the field, gather supporters, declare themselves winners and begin to brandish results.”

Dickson acknowledged that no party is free from such problems. Still, he insisted that the system itself fuels internal battles and competing claims within political organizations. He concluded that the current rules need to be reconsidered to reduce conflict.

Senator Seriake Dickson, the national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and former Bayelsa State governor, has conceded that the party’s primary elections were not without imperfections, yet he firmly dismissed any notion of a deepening internal conflict. During an interview on Arise Television, Dickson acknowledged that certain participants expressed discontent with how the primaries unfolded, attributing some of the challenges to the direct primary system, which he noted poses operational difficulties for both new and established political organizations. He emphasized that a number of disputed results were actually decided by the party’s internal mechanisms rather than by its top leadership. This admission comes in the wake of mounting grievances from aspirants across multiple states who have alleged irregularities in the nomination process. However, Dickson refuted claims of internal turmoil, arguing that the heightened competition within the NDC is a sign of the party’s rapid growth and the increasing public interest it commands. He stated unequivocally, “There is no crisis whatsoever,” interpreting the surge of political figures and aspirants joining the party as evidence of rising confidence rather than instability. Dickson also expressed gratitude to Nigerians for what he perceives as a growing trust in the NDC, pointing to the active participation in recent party events as a clear indicator of expanding support. According to him, the intense contestation for positions should be viewed as a demonstration of political strength, not organizational fragility.

Senator Seriake Dickson has asserted that his credentials for the Nigerian presidency surpass those of prominent opposition figures Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, clarifying that he voluntarily refrained from pursuing the office.

During a Wednesday interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Dickson discussed the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), its leadership, and the party’s connection with Obi. He emphasized that the NDC granted its platform to Obi without any financial demands, highlighting that neither Obi nor his running mate made payments to secure their nominations.

The former Bayelsa governor rejected the notion that the NDC was capitalizing on Obi’s affiliation, insisting instead that the party was providing a valuable platform to the former Labour Party candidate. He also denied reports of internal strife within the NDC, describing Obi as a valued member and affirming that both sides are collaborating effectively.

Dickson attributed any perceived tensions to certain supporters who, he claimed, undermine the party while professing loyalty to Obi. He noted that before Obi joined, the NDC had engaged with several other politicians, arguing that the party deserves recognition for its role in building an alternative political movement for the 2027 elections.

He stated, “If we didn’t like them or lack mutual confidence, we wouldn’t have provided the platform. They paid nothing—not a single naira. So if a presidential candidate paid nothing to become the sole candidate, the party can’t be accused of exploiting them. I think I deserve credit: no one is more qualified than me for the presidency, but for personal reasons I chose not to run. Don’t pretend anyone is doing me or the NDC a favor. Rather, the NDC is granting a platform, and that story must be told.”

Dickson added, “You cannot genuinely support Peter Obi while disparaging me, the party leader, or the platform itself. That is absurd. If forming a party were easy, everyone would do it. Before Obi, I hosted Binani from Adamawa and others for five months. People need to be careful. Obi is a cherished party member, and we made him our sole presidential candidate—that counts. There is no crisis; it’s these supporters who gain nothing by trashing the platform.”

Seriake Dickson, the national leader and founder of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has acknowledged that the party’s recent primary elections across the country were not without issues. In an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ on Wednesday, he remarked that the situation might have escalated further given that the NDC is still a young political entity.

Dickson noted that despite the challenges, all aspirants and party members have demonstrated restraint and continued commitment to the party’s progress. He attributed some of the difficulties to the Electoral Act, which he said inevitably creates tension during primaries.

Comparing the NDC’s experience with other parties, he pointed out that even the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has held federal power since 2015 and controls 33 states, faced similar crises during its own primaries. He also cited the African Democratic Congress (ADC), whose internal conflicts were evident before and after their primary elections.

Dickson emphasized that while the situation was far from ideal, it could have been much worse for a newer party like the NDC. His remarks come amid ongoing discussions about internal party dynamics as Nigeria gears up for future elections.

A new turn unfolded in the high-profile corruption case involving former Power Minister Olu Agunloye when a prosecution witness shed light on the certification process of Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting minutes tied to the $6 billion Mambilla Power Project contract. The testimony was delivered on Wednesday before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja.

Agunloye faces a seven-count charge from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) related to official corruption and the alleged unlawful award of the project to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited. The witness, Iliya John Iyakwari, an Assistant Director of Legal at the Federal Ministry of Justice currently serving as an Assistant Legal Adviser in the Power Ministry, was cross-examined by defense counsel Adeola Adedipe, SAN.

Iyakwari explained that the EFCC requested certified extracts of the May 21, 2003 FEC meeting minutes in July 2023. However, the initially submitted documents lacked proper certification. After discovering this, the EFCC returned them to the ministry. “In January 2024, an EFCC staff brought back the exhibit to my legal adviser, reminding my director that certification was missing,” Iyakwari stated. The documents were finally certified on January 26, 2024, once the oversight was corrected.

The witness also admitted to inadvertently stamping the original forwarding letter during recertification before returning it to his director. During the hearing, prosecution counsel Abba Mohammed, SAN, objected to defense claims that Iyakwari had contradicted himself regarding the certification date. Mohammed argued that the witness merely summarized activities from 2023 without stating that certification occurred that year. “The record shows he summarized events from 2023; he never claimed certification happened then,” Mohammed told the court.

Further objections were raised by the prosecution against questions concerning documents previously introduced by another witness, asserting that Iyakwari should not be cross-examined on evidence he did not present. Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter to June 18 and July 2, 2026, for continued proceedings.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has raised concerns about the health of some lawmakers who are reportedly anxious over their political future. Speaking during the inauguration of the National Campaign Council for the Ekiti State governorship election on Wednesday, Akpabio noted that several senators are already experiencing high blood pressure due to uncertainty surrounding their return tickets to the National Assembly.

Addressing the gathering, he urged those with hypertension to manage their health carefully until the final list of APC senatorial candidates for the 2027 elections is made public. “Some senators are having high blood pressure over the yet-to-be-released final list of APC senatorial candidates for the 2027 elections,” he said. He advised his colleagues to stay calm and ensure they maintain good relations with the entire National Assembly.

Akpabio also directed a message to state governors, emphasizing their authority in selecting candidates. “And for the governors, the state assemblies are going to be working with you. You have absolute right to choose anybody you want,” he added. His remarks come amid growing tension within the ruling party as the 2027 elections approach.

The former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has firmly dismissed allegations connecting his Personal Assistant, Ajiboye Sangogade, to the abduction of his sister and her twins. In a statement issued on Wednesday via his media aide, Femi Awogboro, Adelabu categorically refuted the claims as unfounded.

It was earlier reported that Mrs. Busayo Adegoke, a younger sibling of the former minister, along with her twin children, was kidnapped last Wednesday. However, a joint security operation successfully rescued them on Saturday in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

Over the weekend, rumors circulated suggesting that Sangogade had provided intelligence to the kidnappers. Adelabu dismissed these as baseless, urging those spreading such narratives to cease immediately. He asserted that his assistant played no role in the incident, labeling the rumors a distraction.

“We have noticed that certain individuals, who oppose progress in Oyo State, are peddling falsehoods that my PA orchestrated the kidnapping. This is completely untrue and lacks any evidence,” Adelabu stated.

During the formal inauguration of the Arterial Road N5 in Abuja, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, asserted that President Bola Tinubu can rest assured, sleeping with both eyes closed, due to the tangible results of his administration’s efforts in the FCT and across Nigeria. Wike made this statement while daring residents to deny experiencing the positive transformation under Tinubu’s leadership.

Speaking at the event on Wednesday, Wike emphasized that if electoral success is truly based on effective governance and meaningful reforms, the Tinubu administration has already proven its worth in the capital territory. He said, “If we genuinely believe that good governance is what will make people want to re-elect you, then I think Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not sleep with one eye open. No, he can sleep with both eyes closed.”

Wike further challenged, “I challenge anyone in this FCT to come forward and say they do not feel the presence of government or see its impact.” He shared an anecdote about the road project, noting that during construction, contractor Julius Berger faced a hurdle when local residents demanded compensation for demolished structures. “The community said the company would not proceed with the road project because they had not been compensated for the demolition,” Wike explained.

In a recent revelation, a counter-insurgency and security analyst specialized in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, has brought to light two individuals he identifies as the brothers of the infamous bandit leader Bello Turji. Makama, known for his expertise on security issues, shared a photograph of the duo on Wednesday, asserting their involvement in violent activities across Sokoto and Zamfara states.

According to Makama, these two men are not only family members of the wanted criminal but are also actively terrorizing peaceful communities in the North-West. He described them as ruthless, stating that they have been causing havoc and insecurity in the region. Makama expressed confidence that they would soon face justice, referring to their inevitable downfall.

Bello Turji remains one of Nigeria’s most sought-after bandit leaders, linked to numerous attacks, kidnappings, and killings in the North-West, particularly in Zamfara, Sokoto, and neighboring states. Despite sustained military campaigns, his criminal network continues to pose a significant security challenge.

The Federal Government and security forces have intensified operations against armed groups, reporting the neutralization of several bandit commanders and the rescue of kidnapping victims in recent months. However, the persistent threat from criminal gangs underscores the complex security situation in the region.