The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has said the party is open to coalition talks with other opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing optimism that any alliance would eventually support the NDC’s candidates.
Dickson made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics while responding to questions on whether the NDC would consider working with other opposition figures, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
He said, “As an opposition leader, we will be open. Our party, the NDC, will be open to conversations within that space.
“But it is not for me or anyone to pre-empt those discussions. 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.
“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.”
His comments come amid renewed efforts by opposition parties to strengthen alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.
The opposition realignment gathered momentum in 2025 when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other opposition leaders adopted the ADC as their political platform.
Although Atiku later emerged as the ADC’s presidential candidate, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi left the party following internal disputes and legal challenges before securing the NDC’s presidential ticket.
Dickson further expressed confidence that the APC would lose the next presidential election if Nigerians were allowed to vote freely.
He said, “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 (Tinubu), will be defeated massively.
“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.”
President Bola Tinubu defeated both Atiku and Obi in the 2023 presidential election, polling more than eight million votes, while the two opposition candidates each secured over six million votes.
Dickson also dismissed the lawsuit seeking the deregistration of the NDC, describing it as politically motivated and lacking merit.
He maintained that the case would not affect the party’s participation in future elections, insisting that all NDC candidates would appear on the ballot.
The former Bayelsa State governor further rejected claims challenging the party’s logo, arguing that no individual or organisation could claim exclusive ownership of the peace sign, which he said had been used internationally for decades by figures such as Obafemi Awolowo, Nelson Mandela, Aminu Kano and Mahatma Gandhi.
He added that the NDC complied with all constitutional and legal requirements during its registration and described the court action as a distraction from more pressing national issues.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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