The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Seriake Dickson, has called on Nigerians to contribute as little as N1,000 and N2,000 towards the party’s campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dickson said the initiative was aimed at reducing the influence of wealthy individuals over the country’s political process and ensuring that ordinary Nigerians had a stake in funding the party’s activities.
The former Bayelsa State governor and senator representing Bayelsa West made the remarks on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Wednesday.
According to him, allowing political parties to depend on wealthy individuals and billionaires for campaign financing could undermine democracy, particularly when such funds were allegedly linked to access to public resources.
“You cannot allow your democracy to be funded by moneybags and billionaires who are now trillionaires using government resources. You will continue to be oppressed,” Dickson said.
He added, “We want a process by which Nigerians, ordinary Nigerians, can contribute N1,000, N2,000, as it happens all over the world.”
Dickson described the NDC as the only political party in the country that does not receive funding from the government treasury, stressing that the party was seeking to build a campaign financing model driven by contributions from ordinary citizens.
He said the approach would help Nigerians “break loose from the oppressors” by giving them a direct role in supporting the political movement.
The NDC leader also disclosed that consultations were ongoing over the composition of the party’s presidential campaign council, saying the names of members would be announced after the process was concluded.
He said the party was being cautious with the announcement following the controversy surrounding the publication and subsequent withdrawal of a campaign council list by the ruling party.
“We don’t want to do what the other party in government has done, publishing something and withdrawing it,” he said.
On the 2027 elections, Dickson urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security agencies and other relevant institutions to guarantee a free, fair and credible process.
He vowed that the NDC would vigorously defend its electoral interests, saying, “We will take our case to the Nigerian people, and every vote will be fought for. Every vote will be contested.”
Dickson also expressed support for efforts by the G100 political group to produce a consensus presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections, describing the initiative as a worthwhile intervention.
He said representatives of the group had met with him and that the NDC was aware of its consultations and broader efforts to unite opposition forces.
According to Dickson, the party endorsed the initiative in principle but would continue to campaign under its own platform because it had already settled its presidential ticket.
“My friends who are organising the G100 came to see me, Saliu and his people. They are great Nigerians doing a great job, and their thinking is not misplaced,” he said.
He, however, maintained that the NDC was confident in its ticket and believed it was capable of attracting Nigerians across different sections of the country and the diaspora.
“We have the most exciting ticket. We have the most vibrant ticket. We have an appealing ticket. We have a balanced ticket. We have a ticket that resonates with the Nigerian people at home and abroad,” Dickson said.
He stressed that while the NDC remained open to cooperation with other opposition parties and political groups, its immediate objective was to win the 2027 presidential election.
“We are going into the election as NDC. If other parties and candidates support us, which we think they should do, well and good,” he said.
“But we are working to win the election. But we’ll be happy if they see what we’re doing and endorse us so that we can win the election for the Nigerian people.”