By Dennis Okechukwu
Candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have commended the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, following the publication of the party’s candidates’ list by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The publication of the list has eased concerns among several NDC aspirants and candidates, particularly those contesting seats in the Senate and House of Representatives, following a prolonged delay that had generated uncertainty within the party.
The former Bayelsa State governor was also credited by party members with helping to calm tensions arising from the primaries, reconciliation efforts and the nomination of candidates.
Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, the NDC candidate for Abia Central Senatorial District and a former member of the eighth Senate, praised Dickson for his handling of the processes leading to the emergence of the party’s candidates.
“The National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, deserves accolades for the way he navigated the trying times that the primaries, reconciliations and the nomination of candidates were finally concluded,” Nwaogu said.
She appealed to aspirants who did not secure tickets to remain committed to the party, stressing that losing an election ticket should not end their political aspirations.
“I appeal to aspirants who did not get tickets to see this as a contest in which those who lost today can win tomorrow. They should work with our party to ensure its victory in the 2027 elections,” she said.
Some NDC members also rejected allegations that party tickets were sold to the highest bidders, describing the party’s primaries as comparatively transparent.
A Canada-based aspirant who lost his bid for a House of Representatives ticket said Dickson had focused largely on resolving disagreements that emerged from the primaries rather than interfering in the processes.
According to the aspirant, Dickson had spent the months following the primaries reconciling aspirants, party stakeholders and other members affected by disputes.
Another aspirant from Edo State similarly dismissed claims that money was demanded for party tickets, saying he had met Dickson several times alongside party leaders and aspirants from the state.
He said money was never discussed during the meetings, adding that Dickson had made significant personal sacrifices to strengthen the party since its formation.
The Edo-based aspirant urged NDC members to unite behind the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as well as other candidates contesting elective positions in the 2027 elections.
He described the NDC as a major platform for opposition politics and called on members to put disagreements arising from the primaries behind them.
Meanwhile, Mazi Nnamdi Dickson Iroegbu, who failed to secure the NDC House of Representatives ticket for the Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency of Imo State, said he had accepted the outcome and remained committed to the party.
In a Facebook post following INEC’s publication of the candidates’ list, Iroegbu noted that his name was absent but said he had moved on and congratulated those who emerged as candidates.
“Although my aspiration did not materialize this moment, my commitment to the people remains firm, and I will continue to work for the progress of my community,” he said.
He urged his supporters to continue backing the NDC and its candidates, calling for unity, discipline and active participation throughout the electoral process.
Iroegbu said his commitment to public service remained unchanged, adding that service to the people would continue to be his guiding principle.
The latest development is expected to strengthen efforts by the NDC to consolidate its candidates and supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.