NDC FIRES BACK: DICKSON HAS NO DEAL WITH APC Party dismisses alleged APC pact as “beer-parlour talk”, says former Bayelsa governor remains committed to opposition platform By De Accolade Magazine The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has fired back at reports linking its National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, with an alleged political deal with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that the former Bayelsa State governor has “no secret or open deal whatsoever” with the ruling party. The opposition party described the reports as “beer-parlour talk” and political murmurs which, it said, would ordinarily have been ignored but for the danger of allowing repeated allegations to gain public acceptance. In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday night, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the party considered it necessary to set the record straight and put an end to what it described as unfounded claims concerning the political position of its national leader. According to the NDC, Senator Dickson is “not a front for the ruling APC or anyone else”, insisting that his political record demonstrates consistency, courage and principle. “He has no secret or open deal whatsoever with the ruinous and diabolical APC regime,” the party declared. The NDC pointed to Dickson’s years in the Senate as evidence of what it described as his commitment to Nigerians and his consistent opposition to policies it believes have worsened the conditions of ordinary citizens. The party also rejected what it called attempts to portray the former governor as having compromised his political principles for an alliance with the APC. It described such claims as “wicked, vexatious and mendacious,” while accusing unnamed political opponents of deliberately circulating the allegations because of what it described as the NDC’s growing national profile. The statement further reaffirmed Dickson’s alignment with the NDC’s presidential campaign and its leadership, including presidential candidate Peter Obi and running mate Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The party said its leaders and candidates remained focused on challenging what it called the “vice grip” of the APC and pursuing victory in the forthcoming elections. The NDC subsequently appealed to its supporters and members across the country not to be distracted by what it described as politically motivated rumours. “We urge all our teeming supporters, members and well-wishers to remain steadfast, keep their eyes on the ball, and work assiduously for victory for our Presidential Candidate and his running mate, and indeed all candidates contesting on the platform,” the party said. The controversy comes against the backdrop of increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, where alliances, defections and alleged behind-the-scenes negotiations are expected to remain major issues in the opposition camp. For now, however, the NDC's position is unequivocal: Senator Seriake Dickson remains firmly on its political platform, and the party says there is no APC deal.