NDC Leader Seriake Dickson Foresees Overwhelming 2027 Defeat for Tinubu's APC

Senator Seriake Dickson, the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has asserted his belief that President Bola Tinubu and the dominant All Plastics Congress (APC) will suffer a defeat in the 2027 general elections, contingent on the electoral process being transparent and equitable. During an appearance on Channels Television's Sunday Politics programme, Dickson highlighted that extensive public discontent regarding the current APC-led government would inevitably lead to the governing party's downfall at the polls.

He stated, "As leader of the NDC, and as a Nigerian who knows the feelings and yearnings of Nigerians, and who also knows that their aspirations have not been met, we believe that the APC government, the APC as a party, not just the President, will be defeated massively."

The former Bayelsa State governor advocated for a transparent democratic framework, appealing to electoral bodies to ensure all political entities can contest the elections without any form of obstruction. Dickson further emphasized, "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."

Additionally, the NDC leader confirmed that his party remains receptive to forming dialogues with other opposition groups in preparation for the 2027 polls. However, he conveyed his expectation that any resulting alliance would ultimately endorse the NDC's preferred candidates. He remarked, "As an opposition leader, our party, the NDC, will be open to conversations within that space." He continued, "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."

Nevertheless, Dickson cautioned that predicting the definite outcome of potential coalition negotiations at this stage would be premature. He clarified, "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 are options that remain open."

These remarks from Senator Dickson emerge as opposition factions actively work towards consolidating alliances for the 2027 elections, a period marked by recent political regroupings involving figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.

Furthermore, Dickson dismissed a legal challenge aimed at deregistering the NDC, labeling the lawsuit as “frivolous” and driven by political agendas. He firmly asserted that this legal hurdle would not impede the party's involvement in upcoming elections, guaranteeing that all NDC candidates would be listed on the ballot paper. He explained that the NDC adhered to all constitutional and legal stipulations during its formation and registration, expressing full trust in both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judicial system.

The former governor also refuted allegations disputing the NDC’s emblem, contending that neither an individual nor an entity could assert sole proprietorship over the globally acknowledged peace symbol, which he noted has been in use for several decades by promine.