The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has declared that the party is targeting an outright victory in Nigeria's 2027 presidential election, expressing confidence that it can win the presidency on the first ballot.
Dickson also said the NDC was working towards securing a comfortable majority in the National Assembly to enable its government to implement its proposed reform and transformation agenda.
The former Bayelsa State governor made the declaration on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, while receiving the National Coordinator of The Dickson Movement for Democracy, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi, and members of the group at his residence in Abuja.
During the meeting, Dickson was decorated as the Grand Patron of the movement, which is expected to support the party's mobilization efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged Nigerian youths and pro-democracy groups to intensify grassroots mobilization, encourage voter participation and work towards protecting votes during the forthcoming elections.
Speaking during the meeting, Dickson emphasized that the NDC was not entering the 2027 presidential race merely to participate but was determined to secure victory.
He said the party's ambition extended beyond winning the presidency to gaining sufficient representation in the National Assembly.
According to him, securing a legislative majority would provide the political support needed to implement the policies and reforms proposed by the party.
Dickson stated:
"The presidential election is very important to us. All elections are important. We want to win the presidency on the first ballot. We also want to win a majority of seats in the National Assembly, where our president and vice president can run the government of reform and transformation."
His statement signals the NDC's intention to position itself as a major opposition force capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
The former governor urged young Nigerians to take an active role in the country's political process, stressing that grassroots participation would be critical to the party's electoral ambition.
He encouraged members of The Dickson Movement for Democracy and other support groups to reach voters across communities, wards and local government areas.
Dickson also called on young people to resist political intimidation and the temptation of electoral inducements, urging them to make informed decisions based on the performance and policies of political parties.
He further stressed the importance of protecting votes, maintaining peace and promoting issue-based campaigns rather than engaging in abusive political exchanges.
The NDC leader described the 2027 general elections as an opportunity for Nigerians to assess the performance of the APC-led administration and determine the country's future political direction.
Dickson's declaration comes as the NDC intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections, following the emergence of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as its presidential candidate and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as its vice-presidential candidate.
The party has also constituted its National Campaign Council to coordinate activities and strengthen its nationwide electoral strategy.
Dickson was appointed chairman of the National Campaign Council, while Obi was named co-chairman. Kwankwaso will serve as co-vice-chairman alongside other senior party officials.
The appointments are part of the party's efforts to establish a coordinated campaign structure ahead of the elections.
Other notable figures included in the campaign leadership are former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege and political economist Professor Pat Utomi.
The composition of the council brings together politicians and stakeholders from different parts of Nigeria, reflecting the party's intention to build a broad national coalition.
Beyond its electoral ambition, Dickson highlighted some of the major areas the NDC intends to prioritize if elected into power.
According to him, the party's proposed agenda focuses on restoring national security, rebuilding the education and healthcare sectors, reorganizing the economy and stimulating local production.
He also identified agriculture, manufacturing and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as important areas requiring greater attention.
Other priorities include tackling poverty and unemployment while promoting national unity, inclusion and economic opportunities for Nigerians.
The party believes that strengthening productive sectors of the economy will help create jobs, improve living standards and reduce the country's dependence on imports.
These issues remain particularly important as Nigerians continue to grapple with economic pressures, rising living costs, unemployment and insecurity.
However, the success of the proposed agenda will ultimately depend on the party's ability to translate its campaign promises into practical policies and measurable results if it wins the election.
The NDC's growing political activities come as opposition parties and political groups begin positioning themselves for the 2027 general elections.
The ruling APC will be seeking to retain power at the federal level, while opposition parties are working to attract voters dissatisfied with the current administration.
For the NDC, the challenge will involve building a strong nationwide political structure, maintaining unity among its supporters and convincing Nigerians that it can provide an alternative approach to governance.
The party will also need to mobilize support across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones rather than depend solely on the popularity of its leading political figures.
With Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso on its presidential ticket, the party is bringing together two politicians with established political followings in different parts of the country.
Whether this combination can translate into sufficient nationwide electoral support remains one of the major questions ahead of the 2027 polls.
Dickson's declaration is significant because it shows that the NDC is approaching the 2027 elections with an ambitious electoral target.
Winning the presidency on the first ballot would require the party to secure the constitutionally required geographical spread of votes, alongside the necessary national majority.
Its ambition to control a significant number of seats in the National Assembly also highlights the importance of legislative representation in implementing its proposed policies.
For Nigerian voters, the growing competition among political parties presents an opportunity to examine different candidates, programs and approaches to national development.
The coming months will therefore be important in determining whether the NDC can convert its political ambition into a credible nationwide campaign.