Dickson hosts old AD leaders in Abuja, reunites founding members

National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has hosted leaders and founding members of the old Alliance for Democracy (AD) at a reunion in Abuja.

Dickson, a former founding State Chairman and National Legal Adviser of the AD, said the gathering provided an opportunity for former members and political leaders to reconnect and reflect on their contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.

In a statement shared on his Facebook page, the former Bayelsa State governor recalled that Nigeria had only three political parties when the current democratic dispensation began in 1998/1999.

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He said his political journey began during that period with his involvement in the AD, describing the party as ideological and principled.

Among those who attended the reunion were one of the founding fathers of the AD, Chief Michael Odurinde; the party’s founding National Secretary, Prof. Udenta Udenta; and Dr. Manzo Abubakar, former Protem National Publicity Secretary and leader of the party’s Northern Caucus.

Dickson said the participants reflected on their experiences and recalled the efforts made by the AD and its members in laying the foundations for Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

He said his experience in the AD, as well as his involvement in the Ijaw and Niger Delta movements, equipped him with organisational skills and shaped his approach to opposition politics.

“My experience in the AD and my involvement in the Ijaw and Niger Delta movements taught me the art of organising people and groups since 1998, and prepared me for a life of principled opposition politics,” Dickson said.

According to him, engaging in principled opposition politics requires conviction, courage and tolerance, qualities he said had remained central to his political activities, including his current role in the NDC.

The former governor said the reunion also honoured deceased leaders and colleagues, with participants observing a minute of silence in their memory.

He said those present expressed appreciation for the initiative, which they agreed was long overdue, and resolved to continue the reunion in the future.

Dickson disclosed that the organising committee would work out modalities for broader participation at subsequent meetings, particularly for former AD members who were unable to attend the Abuja gathering.

He added that a communication system had also been established to enable members to remain connected and receive timely information about future meetings.

Dickson thanked the former AD leaders and members for honouring the invitation, while wishing them safe journeys back to their respective destinations.

The reunion comes as Dickson continues his political activities within the NDC, where he serves as one of the party’s leading figures.