Details have emerged on the engagements of the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, during his one-week working visit to Europe.
Dickson disclosed that he met with executives of the NDC in Germany and the United Kingdom as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s structure and deepen the involvement of its members in the diaspora ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former Bayelsa State governor, in a post on Sunday, said the visit followed almost a year of efforts to build the party and address some of its challenges.
He said he used the meetings to appreciate the diaspora executives for their support while urging them to intensify their activities and mobilise eligible voters ahead of the elections.
“After almost a year building the NDC and resolving its challenges, I decided to embark on a one-week working visit to Europe,” Dickson said.
According to him, the party has fielded candidates for several elective positions, from the presidency to the state Houses of Assembly, and expects its diaspora members to help sensitise their constituents and people in Nigeria.
He urged NDC members in the diaspora to organise themselves, particularly those registered to vote, and participate actively in the electoral process.
Dickson also encouraged the diaspora chapters to hold conferences and conventions, assuring them that he and other members of the party’s leadership would make efforts to attend such gatherings.
He further urged the diaspora executives to maintain collaboration with the party’s Directorate of Diaspora Affairs in Nigeria.
“We thank them for everything they have done and also for taking the time to receive and brief me on their activities so far,” he said.
The development comes as the NDC continues to expand its political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a related development, the party’s Delta State governorship candidate, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, inaugurated his campaign headquarters in Asaba, the state capital.
The inauguration, held on Thursday, was attended by NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, Delta Central senatorial candidate Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Delta North senatorial candidate Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, Delta South senatorial candidate Chief Adowei Binaebi, as well as party leaders, stakeholders and supporters.
Iyovwaye said the campaign headquarters would serve as the operational base for statewide consultations, policy development and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said his campaign would prioritise governance focused on improving the welfare, security and economic prospects of residents.
“If you have governance where there is no value addition to the life and welfare of the people, it cannot be governance,” Iyovwaye said.
He identified security, healthcare, transportation and housing as key areas requiring attention to improve the quality of life of Deltans.
On endorsements by some traditional rulers and elite groups in favour of the incumbent administration, Iyovwaye said such endorsements would not determine the outcome of the election.
“For us, it is the people that will speak in 2027,” he said, arguing that electoral decisions ultimately rest with voters.
Omo-Agege also identified power supply, unemployment and healthcare as major concerns in the state and pledged support for the party’s candidates and programmes.
He said the NDC would work to protect the votes of its supporters, adding that the party was targeting the three senatorial seats in Delta State and a majority of the House of Representatives seats in the 2027 elections.
