Dickson to Obedients: Don’t Disparage NDC, Go Form Your Own Party If It’s Easy

Former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator, Seriake Dickson, has cautioned supporters of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, against undermining the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) while claiming to support the party’s presidential ticket.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme, Dickson dismissed claims that Obi’s supporters, popularly known as Obedients, were doing the NDC a favour by aligning with the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, the NDC had already established itself as a viable political platform and was attracting notable political figures from across the country long before Obi and other opposition leaders joined its ranks.

Dickson disclosed that Obi and his running mate were handed the party’s presidential ticket without any financial obligation, stressing that the decision reflected the confidence the party leadership had in their candidacy.

“There is no one doing NDC a favour,” he said. “Rather, the NDC and my colleagues are doing people a favour by granting our platform to them.”
The senator argued that suggestions that the NDC needs Obi more than Obi needs the party diminish the sacrifices and efforts of those who built the political platform from the ground up.

He also warned Obedients against attacking the party, its leadership, or key stakeholders while professing loyalty to Obi.

“You cannot be supporting Peter Obi, if you are genuinely supporting him, and at the same time disparaging me, the leader, or the platform itself. That is nonsensical,” Dickson stated.

Challenging critics who believe forming a political party is a simple undertaking, the former governor urged them to establish their own platforms if they consider the process easy.

“If it’s easy for people to form a party, go and form yours,” he said.

Dickson maintained that several influential politicians, including former governors and other political heavyweights, had joined the NDC months before Obi’s arrival, insisting that the party’s relevance does not depend on any single individual.

He called on supporters and political commentators to accord the NDC greater respect and refrain from narratives portraying the party as being dependent on one personality for survival or political relevance. :::