By Julius Peter, Abuja
The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has called on Nigerian youths to embark on nationwide grassroots mobilisation for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that the opposition party is targeting victory in the presidential election and a comfortable majority in the National Assembly.
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja when he received the National Coordinator of The Dickson Movement for Democracy, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi, and members of the organisation at his residence.
The visit culminated in the formal adoption of Dickson as the movement’s Grand Patron, with its leadership pledging to mobilise support for all NDC candidates and strengthen the party’s presence across the country.
The NDC leader urged the movement and other pro-democracy organisations to intensify voter mobilisation, promote issue-based campaigns and protect the integrity of votes cast during the elections.
He, however, cautioned party supporters against violence, inflammatory rhetoric and personal attacks, insisting that the NDC would pursue its political ambitions through peaceful and democratic means.
According to him, the party is determined to win the presidency on the first ballot and secure enough seats in the National Assembly to enable its leadership to implement its proposed reform and transformation agenda.
“The presidential election is very important to us. All elections are important. We want to win the presidency on the first ballot. We also want to win a majority of seats in the National Assembly, where our president and vice president can run the government of reform and transformation,” Dickson said.
He emphasised that the party’s electoral strategy must extend beyond the presidential contest to include elections into the Senate, House of Representatives and other elective offices.
Dickson therefore charged members of the movement to work closely with the NDC’s established structures, campaign coordinators and state-level officials to ensure effective coordination of grassroots.NDC Promises National Restoration
Explaining the party’s political agenda, Dickson said the NDC was offering Nigerians an opportunity to pursue a new direction in governance, with particular emphasis on security, economic recovery, human development and national unity.
He identified the restoration of national security, improvement of education and healthcare, economic reorganisation, increased production and support for small and medium-sized enterprises as major priorities of the party.
He also highlighted the need to strengthen agriculture and manufacturing, create economic opportunities and promote a more inclusive society in which citizens from different backgrounds could participate meaningfully in national development.
According to him, Nigeria requires a comprehensive reform programme capable of addressing insecurity, poverty, unemployment and the economic difficulties confronting millions of citizens.
Dickson attributed what he described as significant national setbacks to the policies and performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration since 2015, arguing that the 2027 general elections would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to assess the ruling party’s record.
“The ticket of the NDC is a ticket of restoration of our country,” he declared.
He urged young Nigerians to understand the party’s policy proposals and communicate them effectively to voters in their communities.
The former governor maintained that the party’s ambition was not simply to replace the ruling party but to establish a government capable of implementing reforms and addressing the country’s longstanding development challenges.
He said securing a majority in the National Assembly would be important to advancing the party’s proposed legislative and policy agenda should it win the presidency.
The NDC leader also called on Nigerian youths to resist electoral intimidation, financial inducements and other practices capable of undermining the credibility of the 2027 elections.
He argued that economic hardship should not be exploited by politicians to influence voters or restrict their freedom to make independent electoral choices.
According to him, citizens must be allowed to vote according to their convictions rather than pressure, threats or immediate financial considerations.
Dickson stressed that the NDC would not encourage its supporters to resort to violence or abusive language against political opponents.
Instead, he said, the party would focus on explaining its programmes, mobilising voters peacefully and demanding a credible electoral process.
“We are not for violence. We are not for abuses. We want the ruling party to justify their re-election claim because, as I said, a re-election is a referendum on a sitting government,” he said.
He maintained that elections should provide an opportunity for citizens to evaluate the performance of an incumbent administration and decide whether it deserves another mandate.
Dickson consequently urged the movement to encourage political participation, promote issue-based discussions and support efforts to ensure that every eligible voter could exercise their franchise without intimidation.
He also called for adherence to the principle of one person, one vote, stressing that electoral outcomes should reflect the genuine choices of voters.
Dickson described support groups as an important component of the party’s mobilisation strategy, noting that effective grassroots engagement would be necessary to translate political support into electoral success.
He urged The Dickson Movement for Democracy to expand its reach beyond Abuja and establish stronger connections with communities across the federation.
He said the organisation should work with the party’s existing structures rather than operate in isolation, adding that coordination among support groups, campaign officials and state-level organisations would strengthen the NDC’s preparedness for the elections.
The NDC leader also encouraged the emergence of similar platforms through which young Nigerians could participate in political organisation, democratic advocacy and leadership development.
He expressed optimism that groups committed to democratic reform could contribute to building a more competitive political environment.
Earlier, the National Coordinator of The Dickson Movement for Democracy, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi, said the organisation decided to identify with Dickson after examining the country’s political environment and the leadership challenges confronting Nigeria.
Ogbidi explained that the movement was established out of concern over what its members considered a leadership deficit and the need to groom a new generation of Nigerians committed to accountability, transparency, prudent management of public resources and selfless service.
He said the organisation wanted to build a platform capable of mentoring young people, promoting constitutional democracy and strengthening Nigeria’s multiparty political system.
According to him, the movement conducted an assessment of potential political mentors before settling on Dickson, whom he described as a figure whose political experience demonstrated the capacity to build and sustain opposition movements.
Ogbidi said the decision to adopt the NDC national leader as Grand Patron was informed by the need to identify with leaders who could provide guidance and inspire young Nigerians to participate responsibly in public affairs.
“We took a microscopic view into the political space of Nigeria and asked ourselves who was capable of being a role model to us, mentoring us and guiding us towards building a Nigeria that truly serves Nigerians,” he said.
He explained that the movement’s interest in Dickson extended beyond the immediate objective of winning the 2027 elections, noting that it also sought to develop political ideologues and responsible leaders who would contribute to Nigeria’s democratic future.
Ogbidi said the organisation believed that effective political leadership required more than electoral ambition, stressing the importance of accountability, institutional development and commitment to the public good.
The movement’s coordinator said the emergence of the NDC had provided an alternative platform for Nigerians concerned about the state of political competition in the country.
He expressed concern about what he described as the drift towards a one-party system, arguing that a viable democracy required credible opposition parties capable of offering alternative policies and holding those in power accountable.
Ogbidi commended Dickson for establishing the NDC and providing a platform through which Nigerians who desired a different approach to governance could organise politically.
He said the movement considered the preservation of multiparty democracy and constitutional governance essential to national development.
According to him, the organisation intends to mobilise citizens to participate actively in democratic processes while encouraging the emergence of leaders who understand the responsibilities associated with public office.
He added that the group’s activities would not end with the 2027 elections, as its broader objective was to sustain political engagement and leadership development beyond the immediate electoral cycle.
Ogbidi disclosed that the movement’s membership registration was approaching 10,000 nationwide within weeks of its formation.
He described the development as an indication of growing interest among Nigerians willing to participate in the organisation’s activities and support its stated objectives.
He said the movement had embarked on initiatives aimed at promoting multiparty democracy, defending constitutional governance and encouraging citizens to take an active role in shaping the country’s political future.
The coordinator pledged to mobilise support for all NDC candidates, stressing that the organisation would not limit its activities to the presidential election.
He said the movement intended to build a broad mobilisation network capable of reaching voters across different geographical areas and social groups.
“Our objective is to mobilise horizontally and vertically across this country to support all candidates of the NDC and ensure that not a single vote belonging to the party is missing,” Ogbidi said.
He explained that the group would focus on voter engagement, grassroots organisation and efforts to protect the integrity of votes cast for the party.
Ogbidi also appealed to Dickson to accept the group’s invitation to serve as Grand Patron and provide the mentorship required to guide its activities.
He said the movement believed that his political experience and leadership background would help members develop a clearer understanding of democratic organisation and responsible political participation.
Responding, Dickson thanked Ogbidi and other members of the movement for the honour, describing their initiative as evidence of the willingness of young Nigerians to organise themselves and contribute to the country’s democratic development despite prevailing economic challenges.
He said he had not previously been aware of the full extent of the organisation’s activities but welcomed its decision to identify with his political ideals and the NDC.
The party leader noted that other groups had emerged with similar objectives and expressed hope that they would collaborate to strengthen democratic participation and support the party’s reform agenda.
He encouraged the movement to expand its membership and open its platform to more Nigerians interested in political reform and national development.
Dickson also commended the members for organising the visit and travelling to Abuja without first seeking financial assistance from him, describing their initiative as a demonstration of personal commitment to their stated objectives.
He urged other young Nigerians to establish similar platforms in support of efforts to build a country where governance would be driven by accountability, inclusion and effective public service.
The NDC leader reiterated that the party’s proposed reforms covered major sectors of the economy and national life, including security, education, healthcare, economic production and national cohesion.
He urged the movement to ensure that its mobilisation efforts were guided by the principles of peaceful participation, responsible political communication and respect for democratic institutions.
The meeting highlights the growing importance of youth mobilisation in the preparations for the 2027 general elections, as political parties and support organisations seek to expand their grassroots networks and communicate their programmes to voters.
For the NDC, the challenge will be to translate the enthusiasm expressed by support groups into a coordinated national campaign capable of competing effectively with established political parties.
The movement’s pledge to mobilise nationwide and its reported membership growth provide an indication of its immediate organisational ambitions, although its eventual electoral impact will depend on the strength of its structures, the reach of its campaign and its ability to persuade voters.
Dickson’s call for peaceful mobilisation and protection of votes also places electoral integrity at the centre of the party’s message.
With the NDC seeking both the presidency and a majority in the National Assembly, its campaign strategy will require support beyond individual political strongholds and across constituencies nationwide.
The party’s proposed agenda on security, education, healthcare, economic recovery and national unity is expected to form a central part of its engagement with Nigerians ahead of the polls.
The visit ended with Dickson charging members of The Dickson Movement for Democracy to take the party’s message to communities across the country, work with established NDC structures and encourage citizens to participate peacefully in the 2027 elections.
He maintained that a credible democratic process, supported by informed voters and effective grassroots mobilisation, would be essential to achieving the party’s electoral ambitions.
