I Am Not Swayed By Blackmail – Dickson

The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has dismissed allegations that the party is a proxy of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that he remains unmoved by what he described as propaganda and blackmail.

Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West Senatorial District, made the remarks in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, where he defended the independence and legitimacy of the newly registered political party.

The former Bayelsa State governor said the NDC’s registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) followed due process and was in compliance with a valid court order.

“There’s no litigation against NDC registration. INEC has already implemented the court order and cannot reverse it,” he said.

He rejected claims that either INEC or the APC was planning to challenge the party’s registration in court, describing such assertions as baseless.

Responding to speculation that the NDC was created to weaken opposition parties, Dickson said he was accustomed to political pressure tactics.

“I’m used to this kind of bully tactics. I am not someone who is swayed by propaganda and blackmail,” he stated.

The senator described the NDC as an ideological platform aimed at bringing together Nigerians who share democratic values, adding that the party remains open to engagement with other political groups but is not aligned with any existing party.

He also emphasised the constitutional right of Nigerians to freely associate politically, rejecting calls for him and his supporters to join other opposition platforms such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or the Labour Party Nigeria.

“Democracy means you have the right and the freedom to be in the ADC, to be in the APC; to be in the Labour Party, and thousands of Nigerians also have the right to be in the NDC,” he said.

Dickson maintained that no individual or group has the authority to coerce Nigerians into adopting specific political affiliations.