Founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has engaged members of the party’s diaspora chapters in Germany and the United Kingdom as part of efforts to strengthen the party ahead of future elections.
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, said the visit followed nearly one year of building the new political platform and addressing internal challenges to position the party for wider participation.
The NDC founder said he embarked on a one-week working visit to Europe, where he met with party executives and appreciated their commitment to the growth of the organisation.
“It was a pleasure to receive executives of the NDC in Germany and UK. I thanked them for their support and encouragement and urged them to continue supporting the party and our candidates,” Dickson said.
He explained that the party has developed a strong structure with candidates prepared to contest various elective positions across the country.
“We have very strong candidates from the Presidency down to the House of Assembly who are contesting almost every available seat,” he stated.
Dickson urged NDC members in the diaspora to intensify engagement with their communities and encourage eligible voters to participate actively in the democratic process.
“As a new party, we expect them to sensitise their constituents and people back home, especially those registered to vote and to organise so they can join and participate fully in the polls,” he said.
He added that the party would continue to support the activities of its diaspora members, especially as they establish stronger structures through conferences and conventions.
“Once they are organised and holding their conferences and conventions in the diaspora, we will find time to be part of those gatherings. I, together with the leadership of the party and our candidates, will make every effort to be with them,” Dickson said.
The former governor also encouraged the diaspora chapters to maintain close cooperation with the party’s Directorate of Diaspora Affairs in Nigeria.
“We thank them for everything they have done and also for taking the time to receive and brief me on their activities so far. We urge them to continue to work with the directorate of the Diaspora affairs of the party back home,” he added.
The engagement is part of the NDC’s wider effort to build its grassroots and international support network as the party prepares for upcoming electoral contests.
Since its formation, the NDC has been working to establish a nationwide presence while attracting political stakeholders and supporters interested in its vision and candidates.
