Dickson admits NDC primary flaws, appeals to aggrieved aspirants

The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has acknowledged irregularities in the party’s recently concluded primaries and appealed to dissatisfied aspirants to remain committed to the party.

Dickson made the appeal in a post on his official X handle on Thursday, where he reflected on concerns raised after the exercise.

The former Bayelsa State governor said he had sympathised with aspirants during an interview on Arise TV and admitted that the primaries were not without challenges.

He said: “Last night, I had an interview with Arise TV, where I sympathised with our aspirants over some noticeable irregularities in our just-concluded primaries.

“I noted that, while not claiming that the exercise was perfect, I urged all of them to bear with the party in view of the circumstances we are managing.”

According to him, the difficulties experienced during the exercise were linked to the party’s rapid growth and compressed electoral timetable.

Dickson said: “We are just four months old and have been thrown into the middle of a very tight electoral timeframe, within which we had to carry out membership registration, congresses up to the national convention, primaries, appeal processes, and now the reconciliation phase.”

He argued that complaints arising from direct primaries were not unique to the NDC.

Dickson said: “My views on the Electoral Act have been clear: the APC-led majority were wrong in foisting compulsory direct primaries on political parties and the country.

“Complaints about irregularities in direct primaries are pervasive across all parties and are not peculiar to the NDC.”

Despite the concerns, he maintained that the party had performed well considering its age and the number of aspirants involved.

He said: “As a matter of fact, considering the age of the NDC and the teeming number of aspirants we have had to manage, we have done quite well.”

The NDC leader also dismissed reports claiming winners had already emerged from the primaries.

He said: “No party has announced any set of winners from its primaries, and neither has the NDC.

“The public should disregard any such claims in circulation, especially on social media, and await the party’s formal submissions through the appropriate channels.”

Dickson disclosed that the party had already established a reconciliation committee to address post-primary grievances.

He said: “In anticipation of these challenges, the 2nd NEC meeting approved the composition of a Reconciliation Committee to work with state caucus leaders and other stakeholders in managing grievances.”

Looking ahead, he assured members that future primaries would be conducted using technology.

Dickson said: “This is our first set of primaries, and it will also be the last to be conducted manually. The next primaries will be technologically driven and will have none of these issues.”

He also thanked party members and supporters for their financial support and sacrifices.

Dickson said: “I appreciate their donations, contributions, and sacrifices made on behalf of the party.

“They remain valuable members of our party regardless of the outcome of the primaries.”

Calling for unity ahead of the elections, he added: “We are in this together, and we are all committed to ensuring the success of our party and our presidential team, their Excellencies Peter Obi and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.”

He further urged state party leaders to support reconciliation efforts.

Dickson said: “It is not a time to shift blame or dodge responsibilities.