National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has said the party is prepared to hold discussions with other opposition parties as political realignments gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dickson, who spoke during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, said the NDC remained open to coalition talks with like-minded political groups but stressed that no decisions had been reached on the shape of any alliance.
He noted that while discussions were expected within the opposition camp, the outcome would only become clear after political parties conclude their nomination processes.
“We are open to conversations with parties that share similar aspirations. It is too early for anyone to speculate on where those discussions will lead, but we hope they will eventually produce support for the NDC and the candidates we are presenting,” he said.
The former Bayelsa State governor maintained that the NDC was not positioning itself above any other opposition party, adding that coalition-building is a normal part of democratic politics.
According to him, all options remain available as opposition parties seek common ground ahead of the next general election.
His remarks come against the backdrop of continuing efforts by opposition leaders to strengthen cooperation in preparation for the 2027 presidential contest.
The opposition landscape has experienced major shifts in recent months. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and several political figures adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their platform, with Atiku emerging as the party’s presidential candidate.
Peter Obi, however, parted ways with the ADC following internal disagreements and legal disputes before securing the presidential ticket of the NDC.
The ADC has since faced internal leadership wrangling, court cases and moves seeking its deregistration, developments that have complicated attempts to build a united opposition front.
Dickson expressed confidence that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could be unseated if the 2027 elections are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.
He argued that Nigerians should be allowed to decide their leaders without interference, insisting that credible elections remain the only legitimate path to political change.
“The only way to defeat any political party is through the ballot. Every political party that meets the constitutional requirements should be allowed to contest freely,” he stated.
Dickson also dismissed the legal action seeking the deregistration of the NDC, describing the suit as baseless and politically motivated.
He expressed confidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the courts would uphold the party’s registration, insisting that its candidates would participate in future elections.
The former governor further defended the NDC’s peace sign logo, arguing that the symbol has been widely used across the world for decades and cannot be exclusively claimed by any individual or organisation.
He cited prominent figures such as Obafemi Awolowo, Nelson Mandela, Aminu Kano and Mahatma Gandhi as personalities who publicly identified with the peace symbol.
According to Dickson, the NDC complied with all constitutional and legal requirements during its registration and remains focused on offering Nigerians a credible political alternative rather than being distracted by litigation.