Dickson denies claims NDC sells nomination tickets to highest bidders

Former Bayelsa State governor and senator, Seriake Dickson, has rejected allegations that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) awards nomination tickets to the highest bidders, while acknowledging shortcomings in the party’s recently concluded primary elections.

Responding to questions during an Arise Television interview on Wednesday, Dickson said the party was actively addressing grievances raised by members in several states, including Edo and Imo, where aspirants have protested alleged irregularities and breaches of electoral guidelines.

“I have never claimed that the primary process was perfect. Far from it,” he said, adding that the party had intended to introduce electronic voting to improve transparency but lacked the time and logistical capacity to implement it.

He explained that the adoption of direct primaries under Nigeria’s electoral framework significantly complicated the process, especially for a newly established political platform managing large numbers of aspirants.

“In many cases, there were 15 or 20 aspirants seeking the same position, that naturally created intense competition and disputes,” he noted.

Addressing claims that party structures in some states had been captured by influential individuals who allegedly control access to party tickets, Dickson maintained that such narratives were not supported by evidence at the national leadership level.

On accusations that wealth determined access to governorship tickets, he was categorical in his response: “The NDC does not sell nomination forms or tickets based on wealth. Nobody has come forward with evidence that the National Working Committee or the national leadership collected money in exchange for tickets.”

However, he acknowledged that financial capacity remains a practical consideration in electoral politics.

“In politics, resources matter. Every political party considers whether an aspirant has the capacity and resources to run a viable campaign,” he said, stressing that this should not be misconstrued as commercialisation of party tickets.

Dickson maintained that while internal disagreements exist, they are being managed within the party’s structures and should not be interpreted as evidence of systemic collapse.

Dickson denies claims NDC sells nomination tickets to highest bidders