Senator Seriake Dickson has addressed rising talks about his possible presidential ambition in 2027, making it clear that he is not in the race at the moment.
The former Bayelsa State governor said attention should not be shifted to any personal ambition, as his current focus is elsewhere.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Dickson urged supporters and political observers to hold back on speculations about his candidacy.
“Don’t declare for me. Allow me,” he said, stressing that he is not considering a presidential bid for now.
He explained that his priority is building the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), a new political party he is actively involved in.
According to him, the task ahead is to strengthen the platform and position it as a credible force in the country’s political space.
“As we are speaking, that’s not something I’m considering,” he added, referring to the 2027 presidential race.
Despite his current stance, Dickson did not completely shut the door on future ambition. He maintained that he is qualified to contest for any political office in Nigeria, including the presidency.
“People have a right to expect that there’s no election in Nigeria I’m not qualified for. I can say that,” he stated. “But that’s not what I’m after.”
The senator insisted that the NDC was not created to serve the interest of any individual. He said the party is meant to give Nigerians a fresh option built on credibility and inclusiveness.
“We’re not doing NDC because of a presidential ambition,” he said. “What we are focusing on now is how to bring Nigerians to this party and make them see that it is a platform for all.”
Dickson’s comments come shortly after his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a move that has continued to generate reactions across the political landscape. He rejected claims that he abandoned the party, arguing that the PDP had already lost its identity.
“It is not fair to say that I left the PDP. Contextually, it is more appropriate to say that the PDP left me,” he said.
He described the current state of the opposition party as a shadow of what it used to be. According to him, internal crises and leadership failures weakened the structure beyond repair.
“Before our very eyes, our trusted and loved platform evaporated,” he stated.
Dickson went further to declare that the PDP he once knew no longer exists. “The PDP as I knew it… has been killed, has been buried,” he said.
Blaming key actors within the party, he likened the situation to neglect and failure of responsibility. “What they have done to the PDP is like committing infanticide,” he said. “A child entrusted to you that you failed to protect.”
He revealed that several efforts were made to resolve the party’s internal issues, including reconciliation meetings and suggestions for a caretaker arrangement. However, those efforts did not yield results.
“The solutions were very clear and straightforward, but people refused to agree,” he said, adding that “politics is the art of consensus building.”
On the NDC, Dickson expressed confidence that the party is already gaining ground across the country. He noted that within a short period, the platform has attracted attention and participation from Nigerians.
“Nigerians are registering en masse,” he said. “This is a platform that is just about a month old, yet it is already making waves across the country.”
He described the party as a fresh and youth-driven movement, built to reflect the aspirations of Nigerians. According to him, the NDC already meets the constitutional spread required to operate as a national party.
“To form a political party, you must have a presence in at least two-thirds of the states. We have that. We have structures from wards to the national level,” he said.
Dickson also dismissed concerns that there may not be enough time to build a strong political platform before the next general elections. He insisted that time is not a limitation.
“There is enough time,” he said. “In fact, too much time can even be a disadvantage.”
Speaking on possible alliances, he said discussions around coalition are not yet on the table. According to him, the party is focused on building its own strength first.
“The issue of coalition is far-fetched for now,” he said. “We are taking first things first. We want to win elections on our own.”
The senator also criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of failing to deliver meaningful progress since assuming power in 2015. He said the country has not seen the level of development expected under the current administration.
“I disagree fundamentally with the direction the APC has taken Nigeria,” Dickson said. “From 2015 till date, I have not seen one inch of progress.”
While he acknowledged some policies such as social intervention programmes, he insisted that overall performance remains unsatisfactory.
“It’s not enough to say everybody is running to APC. You’ve got to show me results,” he added.
Dickson further highlighted the need for ideology in Nigerian politics. He described his political leaning as “left of the centre,” with strong support for social welfare policies and true federalism.
“There is a need for us to build a party with a clear direction,” he said. “A party where Nigerians know what it stands for.”
