NDC: Senator Seriake Dickson, A Man Of The Moment, But Never Momentary

By Ikeddy ISIGUZO—

SENATOR Henry Seriake Dickson commands attention. It has nothing to do with stature, a bowler hat, or official titles. His presence stems from his words – well-considered, impactful, and they cut to the heart of issues, bringing clarity. Some find him intimidating. Indeed, there are aspects of him that can be intimidating. Chief among these is his commitment to the common good, which emerges from his deeply held interests and his determined efforts to realise them in the Senate, where the public has grown accustomed to hearing his stance on critical national matters.

On occasion, his microphone has even been switched off during Senate proceedings. He is a politician of integrity, refreshingly devoid of guile, in a world where deception is often seen as strategic and dishonesty is worn as a badge of honour. Dickson is currently a prominent figure. He consistently makes headlines when he speaks. However, he is far from a fleeting presence. He is honest, steadfast, trustworthy, and consistently focused on the issues at hand. His colleagues readily attest to his character. Dickson’s purposefulness is evident. Amidst the clamour, whether addressing crowds, engaging with colleagues, or meeting constituents, he never compromises the core of his politics: service to all he encounters. It is a testament to his resolve that he did not join the widespread movement of political leaders to the ruling party. He chose instead to dedicate nearly a decade to working with like-minded individuals to secure the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Nigeria’s newest political party. Dickson represents a departure from the norm. The registration of the NDC confirms this. The journey began in 2017.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) initially refused registration, citing the NDC’s logo – two fingers raised in celebration of victory – as resembling the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) broom symbol. Ultimately, the NDC, with “Service to the people” as its motto, became the first Nigerian political party to be registered by a court of law. Dickson cited the APC’s “abuse and disrespect of the country’s diversity” as a key reason for rejecting any association with the party, explicitly ruling out joining its ranks.

He stated he would not align himself with a party he believes is leading Nigeria down a dangerous path. “The NDC will promote an independent judiciary, a free and independent press, and ensure the promotion and protection of democratic norms and adherence to the rule of law. “It is for these reasons that I have chosen to fully align with the NDC as we work together to build a stronger, fairer, and more inclusive Nigeria.”

The NDC, founded by Dickson and now led by him as National Leader, is positioning itself as a viable alternative, promising to prioritise national security, economic reform, and a more equitable distribution of power through “true federalism.” “In making the decision to support the NDC, I want to be clear: Nigeria must never become a one-party state.

It would have been easy to join the bandwagon of politicians defecting to the ruling party – the APC – but that was never an option for me. “My decision is informed by several factors: the APC’s abuse and disrespect of the country’s diversity, its inability to effectively manage national security, and its failure to manage the economy in a way that protects the welfare of Nigerians, resulting in widespread hunger, poverty, and disillusionment,” Dickson said. Dickson’s politics is founded on principles.

It is not a politics of comfort or convenience. Many are unaware, or choose to ignore, that Dickson is not new to party-building. Few remember that he was Bayelsa State Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) by 1998, and later its National Legal Adviser. Under his chairmanship in Bayelsa State, the party – built from the ground up with limited resources – produced a Senator, a Member of the House of Representatives, and three seats in the State House of Assembly in 1999, a testament to Dickson’s dedication, commitment, and strategic thinking. Simplicity, accessibility, consultation, consensus-building, and inclusivity are the cornerstones of his political approach.

He vehemently opposes politics of violence, intimidation, and repression, and has consistently fought against them. Once principles are compromised, Dickson disengages. His departure from the AD is a prime example. Beyond the internal crisis within the AD’s national leadership, particularly in the South West, Dickson disagreed with the national leadership after Chief Bola Ige, the Attorney-General of the Federation and a key AD member, initiated the onshore/offshore oil revenue case, which Dickson believed betrayed the interests of Bayelsa, the Ijaw Nation, and the Niger Delta.

He subsequently deemed his membership of the AD untenable. His politics consistently prioritises the people. Why did he leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party under which he won his elections to the House of Representatives, Governorship, and Senate?

“The PDP left me,” Dickson said, describing it as a “painful exit” after years of attempting to keep the party united. “After the PDP lost the presidency in 2015, I devoted considerable time as Chairman of the National Reconciliation Committee, working with others to galvanise and reposition the party, its governors, and leaders.

We stood firm to reorganise and save the party, positioning it for the 2019 election, which we believe we won,” he said. However, the more he worked on party reconciliation, heading the committee for years, the more he discovered entrenched interests determined to see the PDP’s downfall.

A committed federalist, Dickson has spent years building networks that span Nigeria, unhindered by ethnic, regional, religious, or political boundaries. This network forms a crucial part of the NDC, which is also investing in leadership structures grounded in integrity and prioritising the welfare of the majority of Nigerians over self-interest.

The NDC is about governance that puts the people first, in line with the 1999 Constitution’s declaration that, “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” Dickson and his colleagues are working to restore hope and confidence to a population increasingly doubtful that their aspirations for a better Nigeria will be realised within their lifetimes.

“Many have given up hope that their votes will make a difference,” Senator Dickson says. “So, one of the major challenges we face is voter apathy. We are telling them that the NDC is the change Nigerians have been waiting for.”

The certificate for Dickson’s 2022 national honour, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), bestowed upon him by President Muhammadu Buhari, recognised “your outstanding virtues and in appreciation of your services to our country, Nigeria,” with the citation highlighting “his immense contributions to good governance and legislative duties.”

These are fitting accolades that encapsulate the essence of his politics, demonstrated throughout his years of service as Governor of Bayelsa State for eight years, a Member of the House of Representatives, and a Senator. The NDC represents another opportunity for Nigerians to break free from the constraints of poor politics and shallow governance, and to pursue their constitutional rights to security and welfare – not merely as the purpose of government, but as its primary purpose.

Finally…
PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has tacitly accepted and normalised insecurity. His war commanders are being killed, and he remains silent. Killings in our communities by bandits and terrorists are no longer publicly acknowledged.

Tinubu prioritises winning the 2027 election, and cannot afford to alienate bandits and terrorists. His version of democracy can be summarised as simply another four years for Tinubu.

ZAMFARA State Governor Dauda Lawal has become the 31st APC Governor after defecting from the PDP. Let’s see if his decision will end insecurity in Zamfara or address its illegal gold mining, a topic the Tinubu administration avoids.

DANIEL Bwala is a perfect reflection of the Tinubu administration. Following his disastrous appearance on Al Jazeera, he refuses to accept responsibility for his gaffes. Nigerian journalists are unfairly blamed for asking “soft questions” that produce figures like Bwala, who deny their own recorded statements. The message is that Tinubu’s supporters are free to smear Nigerians with shamelessness – which is the true meaning of “renewed hope.”

Increases in the prices of fuel, food, and other goods and services are being attributed to the conflict in Iran. But why does a shipping disruption increase fuel prices in Nigeria? We import fuel refined from crude oil we produce in abundance. Our problem, in this instance, is Tinubu’s poor leadership. When Tinubu applauded the “rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries” in 2024, did he not know they would function for only a few days after consuming over $3 billion in repairs? “The restart of Warri Refinery today brings joy and gladness to me and Nigerians. This will further strengthen the hope and confidence of Nigerians for a greater and better future that we promised.

This development is a remarkable way to end the year following the feat recorded earlier with the old Port Harcourt Refinery. I am equally happy that NNPC Limited is implementing my directive to restore all four refineries to good working condition,” Tinubu stated on 30 December 2024. Tinubu, not the war in Iran, is responsible for our current situation.

• ISIGUZ0 is a major commentator on minor issues.