2027: NDC Rejects G100 Plan to Produce Consensus Presidential Candidate
National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has ruled out the possibility of the party abandoning its presidential ticket to participate in the selection of a consensus candidate being proposed by the G100 opposition alliance.
Dickson said the NDC was aware of the consultations being conducted by the G100 among opposition parties and political leaders across the country.
He said the party supports the broader idea of opposition cooperation but would enter the 2027 presidential election as the NDC.
The former Bayelsa State governor made the position known while appearing on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Wednesday.
His comments come amid renewed efforts by opposition parties and political groups to form a stronger alliance capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election.
The G100 has been holding consultations with opposition parties and prominent political figures as part of efforts to develop a framework for cooperation.
One of the major issues being discussed is the possibility of presenting a single presidential candidate against the APC.
However, Dickson made it clear that the NDC would not surrender its political identity or ticket as part of the process.
He said the party believes its presidential ticket is strong enough to win the election and would rather encourage other opposition parties and candidates to support its candidate.
Dickson said, “My friends who are organising the G100 came to see me, Saliu and his people. They are great Nigerians doing a great job, and their thinking is not misplaced. The NDC is aware of the moves and the efforts they are making. The NDC, in principle, endorses what they are doing, and we have made it clear that, well, the general commitments are good. Their assignment really is, they say, the devil is in the details.”
The NDC leader said the party’s support for cooperation should not be interpreted as an agreement to withdraw from the presidential race.
According to him, the details of any proposed arrangement would determine whether such an alliance could work.
Dickson also expressed confidence in the NDC’s presidential ticket, describing it as balanced and capable of appealing to Nigerians both within the country and in the diaspora.
He said the party was focused on taking its campaign to voters and securing victory rather than entering an arrangement that would require it to step aside for another opposition candidate.
Dickson stated, “And our position is very clear. We have the most exciting ticket. We have the most vibrant ticket. We have an appealing ticket. We have a balanced ticket. We have a ticket that resonates with the Nigerian people at home and abroad. We are the strongest ticket, and I believe that they know that. I believe that every Nigerian knows it. And this is without any form of disrespect or dishonour to any other candidate or any other party.”
The G100 has argued that the fragmentation of opposition votes could make it difficult for any single opposition party to defeat the APC.
The group has therefore been pushing for greater coordination among opposition parties and politicians.
The NDC, however, appears to favour cooperation without surrendering its own presidential ambition.
Dickson said the party was prepared to work with other political parties and groups but expected them to consider supporting its candidate.
He added, “Therefore, we remain committed to working with everybody. In principle, no problem, but we are going into the election as NDC. If other parties and candidates support us, which we think they should do, well and good. But we are working to win the election. But we’ll be happy if they see what we’re doing and endorse us so that we can win the election for the Nigerian people.”
The G100 has consulted political parties including the NDC, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The consultations later resulted in an opposition summit in Abuja where representatives of several parties discussed a possible framework for cooperation.
The absence of some major presidential contenders from parts of the process has, however, continued to raise questions about how easily the proposed consensus arrangement can be achieved.
NDC had previously indicated that if the opposition eventually decides to adopt a common candidate, it believes Obi should be considered for the position.
