The National Leader of the National Democratic Coalition, Henry Seriake Dickson, has declared that Nigeria’s democracy must never be reduced to a one-party state, as he delivered a stirring address at the party’s inaugural national convention held in Abuja today.
Addressing party leaders, delegates, supporters, and stakeholders from across the country, the former Bayelsa State Governor described the convention as a historic moment aimed at affirming and electing the party’s protem national leadership while laying a solid foundation for what he called “a new direction for Nigeria.”
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi’s famous words, “First, they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, and then you win,” Dickson said the rapid growth of the NDC within just three months of registration demonstrates the growing desire among Nigerians for a credible alternative political platform built on service, unity, inclusion, and democratic values.
According to him, the emergence of the NDC is the culmination of years of struggle to preserve Nigeria’s multi-party democracy. He recalled that efforts to register the party began as far back as 2017, adding that after overcoming legal and bureaucratic hurdles, the party was officially registered by INEC in February 2026 following a Federal High Court judgment in its favour.
The National Leader commended the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission for respecting constitutional rights and upholding democratic principles. He also called on institutions to ensure the survival of all opposition parties in Nigeria, stressing that democracy thrives best when there are strong ruling and opposition parties.
In one of the major highlights of the convention, Dickson formally acknowledged the recent entry of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso into the NDC, describing their decision as a “unique convergence of political experience, administrative competence, national reach, and shared hope for the future of Nigeria.”
He praised the Obidient Movement and the Kwankwasiyya Movement for embracing the vision of the NDC and assured Nigerians that the coalition would not disappoint the people.
The Senator also reaffirmed his lifelong commitment to opposition politics, recounting his political journey through various democratic platforms and his resistance to pressure to join the ruling party despite political inducements and challenges.
He emphasized that the NDC was founded as an ideological party committed to politics of service, dialogue, consensus-building, youth and women empowerment, inclusion, and national unity. He noted that the party seeks to build a lasting political institution driven by ideas and values rather than opportunistic defections.
Dickson declared that Nigeria is currently facing severe insecurity, economic hardship, deepening poverty, and declining public trust in governance, insisting that the NDC was established to reverse those trends and restore hope to Nigerians.
Speaking directly to members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, he maintained that political disagreement must not translate into hostility, saying the NDC would continue to engage in peaceful and issue-based politics while presenting Nigerians with a better alternative.
He urged party supporters nationwide to continue mobilisation and grassroots sensitisation ahead of future elections, while also warning against violence, division, and political intolerance.
“Our differences with the ruling party will be decided at the polling units and not through violence,” he stated.
The convention drew delegates and supporters from all parts of Nigeria despite prevailing economic and security challenges, further signaling the growing momentum behind the party’s national expansion.
The event concluded with the successful affirmation of the party’s protem leadership and renewed calls for Nigerians to defend democracy, resist authoritarianism, and support the NDC’s vision for national transformation.
“God bless the NDC, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Dickson concluded to loud applause from delegates and party faithful.
