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The political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections intensified on Wednesday as the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, formally received a fresh wave of defectors into the party, including former Deputy Governor of Gombe State, John Lazarus Yoriyo, two members of the Edo State House of Assembly, and other political leaders and supporters from Edo State.

The reception, held at Dickson’s residence in Abuja, drew national attention as the NDC leadership used the occasion to project the party as an emerging ideological force determined to reshape Nigeria’s political culture ahead of its forthcoming national convention.

Among those received into the party were Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian, Minority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, and Hon. Natasha Idibia, both of whom formally defected alongside their supporters. The event also attracted celebrity presence, with Nigerian music icon Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2face Idibia, who accompanied his wife, Hon. Natasha Idibia.

Addressing party faithful and the new entrants, Senator Dickson declared that the NDC was not being built as a temporary electoral platform, but as a long-term ideological institution designed to endure across generations.

“We want to institutionalize the idea of an ideological political party,” he said. “A party for a father. A party for a child coming. A party for a grandchild that will come tomorrow. That’s the kind of party we are building.”

The former Bayelsa governor acknowledged that the country was entering a politically charged season marked by heightened ambitions and alignments, but insisted that the NDC would distinguish itself from what he described as “transactional politics.”

“We know these are electioneering times and politics is full of ambitions. In this game, all ambitions are legitimate and equal. It is the duty of the party to respect everyone and provide a fair chance for all,” he stated.

He cautioned incoming members against viewing the party merely as a vehicle for personal advancement.

“This is not a platform for transactional politics. This is a platform for ideological politics of service. When something is right and fair and good, we say so. When something is wrong, we condemn it and come up with solutions to do better.”

Senator Dickson formally welcomed the defectors into what he called the “NDC family,” while praising the two Edo lawmakers for refusing to “go with the crowd” despite political pressure.

“But the two of you, minority members of the Edo State House of Assembly, you decided not to go with the crowd. I like that. I appreciate that,” he said.

The NDC leader said the party would prioritize mentorship and moral courage among younger politicians.

“Part of what we do in NDC is to mentor people to have the ability and courage to say no when no is the right answer,” he declared.

In a symbolic political gesture, Dickson announced that the two lawmakers would now become his political mentees, adding that they would also be mentored by leading opposition figures including Mr Peter Obi and Engr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

“So, two of you are my political mentees from today. I will hand you over to my dear friends and colleagues, His Excellency Peter Obi and His Excellency Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. We will all take you as our children and mentees,” he said.

Dickson further encouraged the lawmakers to continue inspiring younger Nigerians through principled leadership.

“Continue to motivate and inspire the young people of Nigeria to identify with what is right and what is good,” he added.

In a dramatic prediction directed at Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian, Dickson declared that the current minority leader in the Edo Assembly would soon rise politically.

“You will become majority leader,” he said to loud applause from supporters gathered at the event.

Speaking shortly after his formal reception into the NDC, Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian described his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as both painful and necessary.

The lawmaker, who represents Ovia North-East I Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, said he had always believed in party loyalty and ideological consistency, noting that he was previously opposed to politicians defecting after winning elections on another platform.

“My decision to come to the NDC from PDP today is a very sweet-bitter one,” he said. “I’m a steadfast follower of the PDP. I do not believe in prevaricating or moving from one political party to another.”

According to him, politicians owe a moral obligation to the electorate who voted for them, adding that both the Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act discourage arbitrary defections.

“I believe it is a betrayal of trust to be elected by one party and take the mandate to another party without recourse to constituents,” he said.

However, he argued that the prolonged internal crisis within the PDP had rendered the party politically ineffective.

“At a time, a captain will not remain in a sinking ship so that he will die there. That will not be heroism; that will be cowardice,” he declared.

“As we speak, the fatality of the PDP has been established. It has been fully decapitated. The party cannot carry again because of infighting and the wickedness of men.”

Hon. Aiguobarueghian used the occasion to highlight his legislative and constituency achievements, claiming that he had sponsored and midwifed the passage of 44 bills within less than two years in office.

“In the area of representation, we have been very visible,” he said. “When people were being killed at Ovia River Bridge because of failed portions of the road, we mobilized the media and ensured repairs were carried out.”

He also listed infrastructure projects allegedly facilitated through his office, including the construction of eight schools across six wards, provision of transformers, and water projects for several communities.

“We are people-oriented. We do for people what government should do for them,” he added.

The lawmaker also hinted at higher political ambitions, revealing that supporters in Ovia Federal Constituency were already calling on him to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, Hon. Abdulmumin Abdusalam, Deputy National Publicity Secretary and National Spokesman of the NDC, described the event as “epoch-making,” saying it reflected the growing national momentum around the party.

According to him, the recent entry of major political figures into the NDC had transformed the party into a major national platform ahead of the next electoral cycle.

“It’s one in a series of events we’ve been having in the last few weeks and months. The rate of the campaign and the momentum have reached a climax,” he said.

Abdusalam recalled the recent reception accorded to Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, noting that the party had initially believed those defections would represent the peak of political realignments into the NDC.

“But I can tell you, NDC, being a party that rides very high on momentum, we’re still receiving defectors and aspirants from state assembly level to National Assembly and governorship levels,” he stated.

On the party’s forthcoming convention, the spokesman promised what he described as an unprecedented political gathering.

“Nigerians should expect a unique convention — the kind of convention older parties have not experienced,” he said.

According to him, the party had already resolved major logistical and security concerns, while national, zonal and state officials were working in coordination to ensure a successful event.

Abdusalam also addressed speculation that the NDC had already zoned its presidential ticket to the South in favour of Peter Obi.

He denied the reports, insisting that consultations were still ongoing.

“Our party is consultative. We are a heterogeneous party that believes in merging ideas and consultations together. We have not zoned the presidency to the South, but all scenarios are possible in politics because politics is dynamic,” he said.

The NDC spokesman further disclosed that the party was expecting additional high-profile defections in the coming weeks, including governors, former governors, ministers, and legislators from both opposition and ruling parties.

“As I speak to you, we’re expecting more high-profile defections, including governors, former governors, former ministers and legislators, including from the ruling party,” he said.

“Our party is like the beautiful bride that every groom wants to have right now.”

Also speaking to journalists at the event, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face, expressed hope that Nigeria’s political future could improve through responsible leadership and informed voter choices.

“We hope to see a difference. We hope to see something very beautiful happen. We hope to see transformation,” the music star said.

“We want to see results. For me, people should start doing the right things. Everybody should use their conscience and understanding to make the right choices.”

Wednesday’s reception is expected to further heighten political discussions around the NDC’s growing influence within the opposition space, especially as the party prepares for its national convention amid intensifying permutations ahead of the next presidential election cycle.

ABUJA BUSINESS REPORTS NEWSPAPER & MAGAZINE