‘If Forming a Party Is Easy, Go and Form Yours’ — Dickson Fires Back at Obi Supporters

Founder and leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has cautioned supporters of the party presidential candidate Peter Obi against disparaging the party and its leadership while seeking to benefit from its platform ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Dickson stressed that political parties should be respected as institutions and not treated as mere vehicles for individual ambitions.

According to him, some supporters have become so focused on promoting their preferred candidate that they fail to recognize the importance of the platform that would ultimately be responsible for sponsoring any presidential bid.

“You cannot claim to support Peter Obi while at the same time disparaging me, the leadership, or the platform itself,” Dickson said.

He argued that the NDC and its leadership are providing an opportunity for aspirants to contest elections and should not be portrayed as beneficiaries of any individual’s popularity.

Dickson further maintained that his decision not to pursue the presidency was a personal one and should not be interpreted as a lack of qualification or political relevance.

“There is no one more qualified than me to run for President of Nigeria. You are talking about names because they have gained traction, and for reasons of my own I chose not to run,” he stated.

The former governor emphasized that the narrative suggesting that political parties should be grateful to popular candidates is misplaced, insisting that the relationship between a candidate and a political platform must be based on mutual respect.

In a direct message to critics who downplay the role of political parties, Dickson challenged them to establish their own platforms if they believe the process is simple.

“If it is so easy to form a party, then anyone is free to go and form their own,” he said.

He added that contrary to public perception, the NDC is not experiencing internal crises, noting that the main challenge has been the attitude of some supporters who undermine the party while promoting their preferred candidates.

Dickson concluded by reiterating that political parties remain the foundation of electoral contests and that any candidate seeking to occupy the Presidential Villa in 2027 would need a credible platform to achieve that goal.