By Izon Daily
August 15,2026
The former Governor of Bayelsa State and National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Sen. Henry Seriake Dickson, has commended the endorsement of his leadership by over 300 serving and former Youth Presidents drawn from communities across Ekeremor Local Government Area, describing it as a massive show of confidence in him and the party.
In a statement, Dickson said he had been informed of, and shown photographs from, the endorsement meetings, at which the youth leaders unanimously endorsed his leadership, commended his service, and pledged their support for all candidates fielded by the NDC, reaffirming their commitment to the party's ideals and vision.
He said he was also aware of similar endorsement meetings taking place across communities in the senatorial district, coordinated by stakeholders, elders, women and youth leaders, as well as student bodies, and commended the broader wave of consultations and endorsement meetings being held by stakeholders and candidates across the state in support of the NDC.
Dickson expressed appreciation to all Youth Presidents, community leaders, opinion leaders and stakeholders involved in the mobilisation efforts, stating that the support demonstrated the confidence the people have in him, in the NDC, and in the party's candidates. He noted that the endorsements had come despite his inability to be physically present in the state over the past eight months due to national engagements, during which he said he had been working to build the NDC from scratch. He expressed hope of returning soon to personally thank supporters and deepen campaign consultations ahead of the elections.
He called on NDC members, candidates, stakeholders and supporters to remain resolute in the face of what he described as attempts at intimidation and the narrowing of democratic space, recalling that he has led Bayelsa State in opposition since 2015 and had helped prevent the state from being overrun by politicians allegedly seeking to use federal institutions to intimidate voters.
Dickson vowed that no one would be permitted to intimidate voters in Bayelsa communities in the upcoming election, warning that any attempt to manipulate results or deploy security personnel and thugs to intimidate residents would fail. He said efforts would continue to educate and mobilise young people, women, community leaders and citizens to reject violence, resist intimidation, participate peacefully in the democratic process, and lawfully defend their votes.
He thanked supporters for their trust, solidarity and prayers, urging them to sustain their efforts for the sake of the state, the country and Nigeria's democracy, stressing that no state should be allowed to become a one-party state.
He closed the statement with the party's rallying cry: "NDC all the way!"
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