The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would be defeated in the 2027 general elections if the polls are conducted freely and fairly.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Dickson said widespread dissatisfaction with the APC-led administration would translate into electoral defeat for the ruling party.
“As leader of the NDC, and as a Nigerian who knows the feelings and yearnings of Nigerians, and who also knows that their aspirations have not been met, we believe that the APC government, the APC as a party, not just the President, will be defeated massively,” he said.
He called for an open democratic process, urging authorities to allow all political parties to participate in the elections without interference.
“Allow every party that wants to contest. You can only defeat them in an electoral contest. So, let us have a free and fair election,” Dickson added.
The former Bayelsa State governor also said the NDC remained open to discussions with other opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections, although he expressed hope that any eventual coalition would support the party’s candidates.
“As an opposition leader, our party, the NDC, will be open to conversations within that space,” he said.
“We hope that whatever discussions take place will lead to the NDC candidates being backed because we know the value of the candidates we are putting forward.”
Dickson, however, said it was too early to predict the outcome of any coalition talks.
“We are not claiming superiority. After the nomination process has ended, we will move into another phase of discussions. Whether there will be an agreement, I don’t know. We will try. Where it will lead, I don’t know, but all those are options that remain open,” he stated.
His comments come amid ongoing efforts by opposition parties to forge alliances ahead of the 2027 polls following political realignments involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.
Dickson also dismissed a lawsuit seeking the deregistration of the NDC, describing it as “frivolous” and politically motivated.
He maintained that the legal challenge would not affect the party’s participation in future elections, insisting that all its candidates would be on the ballot.
According to him, the party complied with all constitutional and legal requirements during its registration and remains confident in both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary.
The former governor also rejected claims challenging the NDC’s logo, arguing that no individual or organisation could claim exclusive ownership of the internationally recognised peace sign, which he said has been used for decades by prominent global and Nigerian leaders.
