NDC leader Dickson raises alarm over attacks on party, calls for emergency all-party peace summit

Calls on IPAC, Abdulsalami-led Peace Committee, INEC, security agencies to intervene ahead of 2027 elections

A leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised concerns over what he described as increasing incidents of violence targeting the party, its candidates and supporters, calling for urgent intervention to prevent further escalation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Senator Seriake Dickson, urged the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar-led Peace Committee, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to convene an emergency all-party summit to address political violence and promote peaceful electoral competition.

In a statement obtained by CAPITAL POST on Sunday in Abuja, the NDC leader said the growing incidents of violence posed a threat to Nigeria’s democratic process, warning that failure to address the situation promptly could undermine the conduct of the 2027 elections.
He stressed that political disagreements and rivalries should not be allowed to degenerate into violence, insisting that all political parties must collectively work towards peaceful, fair and transparent elections.

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The proposed summit, he said, would provide an opportunity for political stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to democratic principles and develop measures to prevent further attacks on political parties and their supporters.

The NDC leader warned that the situation could become increasingly dangerous if decisive action was not taken before the election cycle gathered momentum.

NDC Moves to Address Internal Concerns
On the party’s internal affairs, the NDC leader disclosed that he had held discussions with various party leaders over concerns recently raised by some party officers.

He said he had directed the leaders to ensure that the issues were addressed and that the interests of all concerned were adequately considered in subsequent decisions.

According to him, preparations were also underway for the appointment and deployment of party members to various committees and directorates of the National Campaign Council.

He said the party’s executive leadership had been instructed to expedite the preparation and release of the relevant lists to enable members to begin their assigned responsibilities.

The leader also disclosed that discussions had been held with the party leadership on providing financial and logistical support to state chapters to strengthen their operations, while efforts continued to raise additional funds for the campaign.

Candidates Told to Prioritise Polling Unit Agents
The NDC leader further urged the party’s candidates for the National Assembly, state Houses of Assembly and governorship elections to take the recruitment, verification, identification and training of polling unit agents seriously.

He described the process as critical to the party’s electoral preparations, noting that candidates must work closely with the presidential campaign team to verify proposed agents and make relevant contributions, particularly in areas where they have specific interests.

He also encouraged collaboration with other political parties, where appropriate, to strengthen the presence of polling agents across the country, excluding the party’s principal political opponents where necessary.

According to the statement, candidates should have their views given significant consideration in the selection and deployment of agents because they would be on the ballot and expected to defend the party’s interests at the polls.

However, he emphasised that candidates must work in consultation with the party’s leadership and other stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach.

The NDC leader said the process should be concluded promptly and decentralised to facilitate the uploading of agents’ details, paving the way for training to commence later in November and continue throughout December.

He described the 2027 elections as an agent-based contest, stressing that adequate representation at polling units would be essential to the party’s electoral strategy.

Thanks Nigerians for Solidarity
The NDC leader concluded by expressing appreciation to Nigerians for what he described as their massive show of solidarity and support for the party and its candidates.

He reiterated the need for unity within the party, effective campaign coordination and peaceful political engagement as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.

The statement ended with the party’s rallying slogan: “NDC all the way!”
Note: The statement was signed with the initials HSD. The signatory’s full name and official party position were not provided in the supplied text.

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