2027: APC not our enemy, Dickson says, challenges party to defend record

The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has declared that members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are not enemies of his party, despite their political differences, urging political actors to embrace peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dickson made the declaration in a statement shared on his social media platforms on Monday, following the inauguration of the NDC’s National Campaign Council in Abuja.

He called on political leaders and their supporters to avoid hostility and focus on presenting their policies and programmes to Nigerians, stressing that political competition should not translate into enmity.

“To our brothers in the APC, I say again that you are not our enemies,” he stated.

The former Bayelsa State governor maintained that disagreements among political parties should be resolved through democratic processes, with voters determining which party deserves their mandate at the polls.

However, Dickson challenged the APC to account for its performance since assuming power in 2015, urging Nigerians to assess the ruling party based on its record in government.

He questioned whether Nigerians were now safer and economically better off under the APC-led administration, arguing that the 2027 elections should provide an opportunity for citizens to evaluate the party’s performance.

According to him, the forthcoming polls should be determined by the issues affecting Nigerians rather than political intimidation, hostility or violence.

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Dickson also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure that the 2027 general elections are free, fair and credible.

He cautioned security personnel against allowing themselves to be used by political interests to manipulate the electoral process or undermine the will of voters.

Earlier on Monday, the NDC held a National Executive Committee meeting, inaugurated its new national secretariat and formally unveiled its National Campaign Council as part of preparations for the 2027 elections.

The events were attended by the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and other party leaders.

Dickson expressed confidence in the NDC’s electoral prospects, pledging that the party would take its message to Nigerians across the country as it seeks victory in the 2027 general elections.