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.”