Candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have praised the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, following the publication of the party’s list of candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying his intervention helped resolve disputes arising from the primaries.

The commendations came after weeks of uncertainty over the delayed release of the names of the party’s candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Several candidates and aspirants said the publication of the list had brought an end to internal tensions, describing Dickson as a stabilising force who led reconciliation efforts among aggrieved stakeholders.

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Among those who commended the former Bayelsa State governor was the NDC candidate for Abia Central Senatorial District, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu.

She said Dickson demonstrated leadership throughout the difficult nomination process and deserved credit for his handling of the party’s primaries and reconciliation efforts.

“Nobody is perfect, but he acted in the interest of our party, NDC,” Nwaogu said.

She also appealed to aspirants who were unsuccessful in securing the party’s tickets to remain committed to the NDC and work towards its victory in the 2027 elections.

“I appeal to aspirants who did not get tickets to see this as a contest in which those who lost today can win tomorrow. They should work with our party to ensure its victory in the 2027 elections,” she added.

Some candidates also dismissed allegations that party tickets were sold to the highest bidders, insisting that despite challenges encountered during the primaries, the process remained transparent.

A House of Representatives aspirant based in Canada, who failed to secure the party’s ticket, said Dickson devoted considerable time after the primaries to reconciling aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders across the country.

According to the aspirant, most of the disagreements stemmed from state-level consultations and harmonisation processes rather than the direct involvement of the party’s National Leader.

He said Dickson did not interfere in the work of state stakeholders or committees responsible for conducting the primaries but instead concentrated on resolving disputes after the exercise.

Another aspirant from Edo State also rejected claims that aspirants paid for party tickets.

He said he attended several meetings with Dickson, party leaders and fellow aspirants, stressing that financial matters were never discussed.

The aspirant further described Dickson as having made significant personal sacrifices in building the relatively new political party and urged members to unite behind the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and all other candidates.

He said party members should remain focused on strengthening the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

Meanwhile, an unsuccessful House of Representatives aspirant for the Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency in Imo State, Mazi Nnamdi Dickson Iroegbu, also urged party members to move beyond the outcome of the primaries.

In a Facebook post following INEC’s publication of the candidates’ list, Iroegbu acknowledged that his name was not on the list but reaffirmed his commitment to the party.

He congratulated the successful candidates and called on his supporters to continue backing the NDC and its candidates throughout the electioneering period.

“Although my aspiration did not materialise this moment, my commitment to the people remains firm, and I will continue to work for the progress of my community,” he said.

He also urged party supporters to remain united and actively participate in the electoral process, stressing that service to the people remained his guiding principle.

The publication of the NDC’s candidate list by INEC has brought to an end weeks of uncertainty over the party’s nominations, paving the way for the commencement of full-scale campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.