Senator Seriake Dickson says he has no immediate plan to contest the 2027 presidency, focusing instead on building the Nigeria Democratic Congress

Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, on Monday said he has no immediate plans to contest against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, stating that his priority is building a credible political platform through the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

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Dickson made the remarks on the sidelines of a press conference at his residence in Abuja shortly after announcing his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party and his decision to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The former Bayelsa State governor said his immediate focus, alongside other political stakeholders, is to strengthen the new party into a viable national platform capable of attracting Nigerians across party lines.

“We are actually aiming to take over power at the centre. And it is possible. It’s human beings that make up a party, not just the name,” Dickson said.

He added that the political dynamics witnessed during the 2023 elections showed that voter dissatisfaction and economic hardship could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.

However, the senator dismissed suggestions that his move to the NDC was part of a personal strategy to pursue the presidency in 2027.

“You talked about the presidential race. Let me tell you right away, that’s not our focus. My colleagues and I are working to build a credible platform that will attract as many Nigerians as possible,” he said.

Dickson also played down ongoing debates over zoning and presidential ticket permutations ahead of the next general election, arguing that political actors should prioritise building strong institutions and party structures.

“Politics is much more than arguments about who runs and which region comes first. Let us first build the party. When the time comes, things will sort themselves out,” he added, noting that while he is qualified for higher office, it is not his immediate priority.

The senator invited politicians across the country with various political ambitions to join the NDC, describing the party as a broad-based national platform open to individuals seeking elective offices from the presidency to local government positions.

“We want to invite everyone with political interests to come to the Nigeria Democratic Congress. With the NDC, the game has changed,” Dickson said.

Responding to concerns that members of the ruling party could infiltrate the platform, he said the party remains open to all Nigerians while maintaining confidence that any internal challenges would be addressed if they arise.

Dickson also clarified that the NDC should not be confused with the defunct Niger Delta Congress, stressing that the newly registered party is designed as a national political platform rather than a regional movement.

Earlier last week, the senator formally announced his resignation from the PDP, citing deepening internal crisis and what he described as poor leadership within the opposition party.

While expressing emotional attachment to the PDP because of its historic role in Nigeria’s democratic development, Dickson said internal conflicts and leadership failures had weakened the party.

He specifically criticised some party leaders, particularly governors, for contributing to what he described as the avoidable decline of the once-dominant political organisation.

“The governors and other leaders must take responsibility for the avoidable, self-inflicted destruction of the PDP,” he said.

The senator also warned against the emergence of a one-party system in Nigeria, arguing that the country’s diversity makes such a scenario unrealistic.

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“Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Anyone promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is pursuing a mirage,” he added.