By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) on Monday described the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as an emerging major national political force, saying the party has rapidly gained acceptance across the country and is increasingly becoming the preferred platform for many Nigerians.
The regional socio-political organisation made the declaration during a courtesy visit by its leadership to the National Leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Boladei Igali, commended Dickson for what he described as his courage and vision in establishing a political movement that has continued to attract support from across the country.
Igali said the emergence of the NDC had enriched Nigeria’s democratic landscape by offering citizens an alternative political platform and broadening democratic participation.
According to him, the party has grown beyond a regional initiative and is steadily positioning itself as a formidable national movement capable of influencing the country’s political future.
Igali said, “We came to pay a courtesy call on Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the National Leader of the NDC, first to congratulate him as a son of the Niger Delta for having the courage to come up with a national movement, and also to discuss the activities of the party.
“We appreciate the fact that the NDC has become a leading national movement and perhaps the party of choice for many Nigerians today.
“We are particularly pleased that this is happening at a time when we are at the helm of affairs in PANDEF.”
He explained that the visit formed part of PANDEF’s ongoing consultations with political parties and key stakeholders across the country on issues affecting both the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as a whole.
The PANDEF chairman disclosed that the forum had already met with leaders of several political parties and would continue to engage relevant stakeholders in pursuit of peace, equity, development and national progress.
He stressed the need for collaboration among political leaders, regional organisations and public institutions in addressing the country’s economic, political and security challenges.
Igali also congratulated the NDC National Chairman, members of the National Working Committee and party supporters nationwide for their commitment to strengthening democratic governance and building a viable political platform.
Other members of the PANDEF delegation included the Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Bassey Nyong Ekefre, and the National Treasurer, Mrs Ifeoma Onyeoma Agbomah.
Meanwhile, the 2027 presidential candidate of the NDC, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to stop associating criminality with ethnic identities, warning that such stereotypes promote division and threaten national unity.
Obi, in a statement posted on his X handle on Monday, decried what he described as the growing tendency to portray Fulani people collectively as criminals because of the activities of bandits and kidnappers operating in parts of the country.
The former Anambra State governor said no ethnic group should be judged by the actions of a few individuals engaged in criminal activities.
Obi said, “As an Igbo man, I have endured stereotypes, judgment and labelling solely based on my ethnic origins.
“This is not an isolated Igbo experience. Most Nigerians have, at some point, been reduced to their ethnicity rather than recognised for their true character.
“I understand the pain of the ordinary Fulani man today, often unfairly judged by the actions of criminals he does not support, has never met and who are not representative of his people.”
Obi recalled the civil rights struggle in the United States and the message of Martin Luther King Jr., who advocated judging people by their character rather than racial identity.
According to him, every ethnic group in Nigeria contributes positively to national development and should not be stigmatised because of the actions of criminal elements.
He said, “Crime has no ethnicity. A thief is a thief. A terrorist is a terrorist. A kidnapper is a kidnapper. They are bad actors, not representatives of any people. They must be identified, arrested and punished according to the law.”
The NDC presidential candidate warned that ethnic profiling fuels resentment, deepens social divisions and undermines efforts to build a united nation.
He called on Nigerians to embrace tolerance, justice and mutual respect while rejecting narratives that seek to demonise entire communities.
Obi added that a better Nigeria would only emerge when citizens are treated equally regardless of their ethnic, religious or regional backgrounds.
His intervention came amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general election and increasing national conversations on security, national cohesion and the future direction of the country’s democracy.
