Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has declared that the party remains open to discussions with other opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, while expressing hope that any eventual coalition would rally behind the NDC's candidates.
Dickson made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television's Sunday Politics on June 28, 2026, when asked whether the NDC would consider aligning with other opposition figures, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
"As an opposition leader, we will be open. Our party, the NDC, will be open to conversations within that space," Dickson said. "But it is not for me or anyone to pre-empt those discussions. We hope that whatever discussions take place will lead to the NDC candidates being backed because we know the value of the candidates we are putting forward".
The NDC leader, however, struck a cautious tone regarding the outcome of any potential coalition talks, emphasising that the party was not claiming superiority. "We are not claiming superiority. After the nomination process has ended, we will move into another phase of discussions. Whether there will be an agreement, I don't know. We will try. Where it will lead, I don't know, but all those are options that remain open," he stated.
The comments come amid continuing efforts by opposition parties to strengthen alliances ahead of the 2027 elections. In 2025, prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, joined forces under the platform of the ADC. While Atiku emerged as the ADC's presidential flag bearer, Obi later left the ADC following internal disputes and legal challenges to become the NDC's presidential candidate. The ADC has faced several legal and organisational setbacks, including court cases challenging its leadership structure and attempts to deregister the party, fuelling uncertainty within the opposition and complicating efforts to build a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Despite these challenges, Dickson expressed confidence that the APC would be defeated if Nigerians were allowed to choose their leaders freely. "As leader of the NDC, and as a Nigerian who knows the feelings and yearnings of Nigerians, and who also knows that their aspirations have not been met, we believe that the APC government, the APC as a party, not just the President (Tinubu), will be defeated massively," he said.
He called for an open democratic process, urging authorities to allow all political parties to participate in the elections without interference. "Allow every party that wants to contest. You can only defeat them in an electoral contest. So, let us have a free and fair election," Dickson added.
Dickson also dismissed a lawsuit seeking the NDC's deregistration, describing it as "frivolous" and politically motivated. He insisted that the legal action would not affect the party's participation in future elections, maintaining that all NDC nominations remain valid and expressing confidence in both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary.
The former Bayelsa State governor also rejected claims challenging the party's logo, arguing that no individual or organisation could claim exclusive ownership of the peace sign, which has been used internationally for decades by political leaders like Obafemi Awolowo, Nelson Mandela, Aminu Kano and Mahatma Gandhi.
As the 2027 election cycle gathers momentum, Dickson's comments signal the NDC's willingness to engage in coalition-building while positioning the party as a central force in any opposition alliance. Whether such talks will materialise into a united front remains to be seen, but the NDC leader has made it clear that his party is ready to lead the charge against the ruling APC.
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