ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, has dismissed claims questioning the legitimacy of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), insisting the party’s registration process is neither recent nor irregular.
In a statement shared on Monday, Dickson urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as coordinated misinformation about the party, maintaining that the NDC has a documented history dating back several years.
He stressed that the movement did not emerge overnight but evolved through a structured process involving consultations, documentation, and regulatory engagement.
Dickson explained that the party’s initial registration efforts began as far back as 2017, when an application was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission and received preliminary approval before the exercise was later suspended.
According to him, when the electoral body reopened the window for party registration, promoters of the NDC simply revisited and updated the earlier submission to align with current requirements.
“For clarity, what we did was to update an existing application, not start afresh,” he said, pointing to records and preparatory documents that form part of the party’s history.
Beyond the registration debate, Dickson said the broader ambition of the NDC is to establish a political institution rooted in ideology rather than personalities.
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He described the party as a long-term project designed to endure beyond its founding figures, drawing comparisons with established political systems across different regions of the world.
“Our objective is to build a party that is stable, structured, and capable of standing the test of time,” he said.
He added that the platform is being shaped by a coalition of experienced political actors, grassroots leaders, and emerging voices seeking to create a viable national alternative.
Dickson also highlighted the party’s emphasis on inclusion, noting that young people and women occupy a central place in its structure.
According to him, the NDC is being positioned as a platform for mentorship, leadership development, and active citizen participation in governance.
He said the goal is to create opportunities not only for established politicians but also for ordinary Nigerians interested in contributing to national development.
Acknowledging the controversies surrounding the party, Dickson said such reactions were expected given the scale of the project.
He warned supporters against being distracted by rumours and political attacks, describing them as part of the terrain in building a new political movement.
“With experience in politics, we know initiatives like this will attract gossip, propaganda, and even blackmail,” he noted.
The former governor concluded by calling on Nigerians to actively engage with the party, urging citizens to register, participate, and contest elections under its platform.
He said the growing support for the NDC reflects a desire among Nigerians for a new political direction built on structure, inclusion, and long-term vision.
“Together, let us reclaim and rebuild our country,” he said.