Launches inclusion-driven platform, courts disaffected politicians

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is positioning itself as an alternative political platform, anchored on inclusion, internal restructuring, and broad-based mobilisation, as it seeks to attract Nigerians dissatisfied with existing parties.

At its inaugural National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, the party’s National Leader, Seriake Dickson, outlined key resolutions aimed at strengthening internal democracy, expanding participation, and preparing for future elections.

Dickson disclosed that the party has adopted affirmative action for women, directing all state and local structures to align with the policy.

“At our very first meeting, we ratified a very important resolution—affirmative action for women,” he said, urging party leaders to harmonise their structures to ensure meaningful participation of women.

He stressed that the policy is not symbolic but a structural mechanism to embed women in decision-making processes across all levels.

The party also prioritised youth inclusion, with Dickson describing young Nigerians as central to its future.

“We have competent young people across the country, and this is their party. They must be included,” he said.

In the same vein, the NDC extended its inclusion framework to persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, signalling a deliberate effort to build a representative political platform.

Dickson further urged members to intensify grassroots mobilisation and fully utilise the party’s electronic registration platform to expand its membership base ahead of elections.

He noted that electoral success would depend more on engagement at ward and polling unit levels than on financial inducement, urging members to take ownership of their constituencies by engaging directly with citizens.

The party leader directed state chairmen to scale up mobilisation efforts, mandating each ward to register between 300 and 500 verifiable members through the electronic system.

He cautioned against inflated membership figures, emphasising that credibility and transparency would be prioritised in the registration process.

According to him, electronic registration will continue up to election day, while details of party primaries will be announced in due course.

Beyond internal organisation, the NDC has opened its doors to Nigerians across party lines, particularly those who feel sidelined in their current political affiliations.

Dickson invited disillusioned politicians and members of the public to join what he described as a platform anchored on clarity and purpose.

“To those who feel dissatisfied, sidelined, or constrained in their current parties, this is an opportunity to be part of something new and inclusive,” he said.

He positioned the NDC as a stable ideological alternative to what he described as uncertainty in other political parties, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Dickson also framed the emergence of the party as part of a broader effort to resist what he termed a drift toward one-party dominance in Nigeria, stressing that democratic stability depends on political plurality.

“This party is founded to promote inclusivity, fairness, justice, and national integration,” he said.

Responding to concerns about the party’s open-door policy, Dickson maintained that the NDC is built on a clear ideological foundation capable of managing growth and diversity.

“We are an ideological party; we have clear principles and structures in place to manage our growth and maintain our values,” he added.

Party officials said the NEC meeting marked a critical step in consolidating internal structures and strengthening cohesion ahead of nationwide expansion.

The National Chairman of the NDC, Moses Zuwogeh, also addressed the meeting, pledging transparent and accountable leadership.

Zuwogeh described his emergence as both a vote of confidence and a call to responsibility, urging members to remain committed to the party’s founding principles.

He called for unity, discipline, and inclusiveness, noting that the party is attracting growing interest from Nigerians seeking credible political alternatives.

He further described the NDC as a broad-based movement with open doors for new entrants, encouraging members to deepen grassroots engagement.

With its emphasis on inclusion, grassroots mobilisation, and digital membership expansion, the NDC is positioning itself as an emerging political force seeking to redefine participation in Nigeria’s democratic space.

Observers say the party’s early structure and messaging—particularly its outreach to disaffected politicians and focus on internal equity—could shape its trajectory ahead of future elections, depending on how effectively it balances expansion with organisational discipline.

The party also ratified its protem leadership through a voice vote, retaining Zuwogeh and other officials pending the emergence of substantive leadership after its national convention.