If It’s Easy, Go and Form Your Own Party — Dickson Warns Obidients Against Attacking NDC

By Emmanuel Kwada

Former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator, Seriake Dickson, has cautioned supporters of former presidential candidate Peter Obi against disparaging the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), insisting that the party is not indebted to any individual or political group.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, Dickson dismissed claims that Obi’s supporters, popularly known as Obedients, were doing the NDC a favour by backing its presidential ticket.

According to the senator, the NDC had established itself as a viable political platform and had attracted notable political figures from across the country long before Obi and other opposition leaders joined the party.

Dickson revealed that Obi and his running mate were offered the party’s presidential ticket without any financial contribution, stressing that the decision was made voluntarily by the party leadership because of its confidence in their candidacy.

He argued that suggestions that the NDC needed Obi more than Obi needed the party were unfair to those who invested time and effort in building the political platform.

“There is no one doing NDC a favour,” Dickson said. “Rather, the NDC and my colleagues are doing people a favour by granting our platform to them.”

The former governor also criticised supporters who attack the party while claiming loyalty to Obi, describing such conduct as contradictory and unhelpful to the political movement they seek to advance.

“You cannot be supporting Peter Obi, if you are genuinely supporting him, and at the same time disparaging me, the leader, or the platform itself. That is nonsensical,” he stated.

Dickson further challenged critics who believe creating a political party is an easy task, urging them to establish and build their own parties if they are dissatisfied with existing structures.

“If it’s easy for people to form a party, go and form yours,” he said.

The senator maintained that several influential politicians, including former governors and other prominent figures, had aligned with the NDC months before Obi and other opposition leaders joined the platform.

He called on party supporters and political commentators to accord the NDC greater respect, warning against narratives that portray the party as dependent on any single individual for relevance, growth, or political survival.

Dickson’s remarks come amid ongoing debates within opposition circles over party structures, leadership influence, and the role of supporters in shaping the future direction of emerging political coalitions ahead of future elections.