By Joyce Ekeh
The United Kingdom chapter of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to the party’s expansion and forthcoming electoral activities, following a high-level meeting with the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, in London.
The development came as Dickson disclosed that he would return to the United Kingdom later this year alongside the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and other senior party officials for the formal launch of the NDC-UK chapter.
The NDC-UK Executive Committee made the commitment during a courtesy visit to Dickson at the London Park Lane Hilton Hotel on Saturday. The meeting was attended by members of the chapter and representatives of the Nigerian community across Great Britain and Ireland.
In a press statement on Sunday, the NDC-UK Publicity Secretary, Boniokoye Imegwu, said the meeting provided an opportunity for Dickson to brief party members and supporters on developments within the party, its progress since formation and preparations for the forthcoming general election.
Dickson was in London while returning to Nigeria from the Netherlands, where he had inaugurated the NDC Netherlands Chapter.
During the meeting, the former Bayelsa State governor expressed confidence in the party’s leadership and presidential ticket.
He also urged institutions and officials responsible for conducting the elections to uphold integrity, fairness, responsibility and patriotism throughout the electoral process.
The NDC-UK Country Chairman, Princewill Urum, thanked Dickson for his leadership and reaffirmed the chapter’s commitment to advancing the party’s objectives and programmes.
Also present was the leader of the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM), a Nigerian and global political network.
The COPDEM leader commended what he described as the direction and progress of the NDC, saying the organisation would deploy its available resources and personnel in support of initiatives aimed at promoting democratic participation and a credible electoral process in Nigeria.
Dickson’s announcement of the planned London visit by Obi, Kwankwaso and other senior party leaders signals further mobilisation of the party’s diaspora structure ahead of the forthcoming election.
The meeting ended on a convivial note, with participants expressing renewed commitment to the expansion of the NDC and its electoral activities.
