Former Bayelsa State Governor and National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has hosted founding members, leaders and associates of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) at a reunion in Abuja.
Dickson disclosed the gathering in a post on his X account on Saturday, saying it brought together political figures who contributed to Nigeria’s democratic struggle and the emergence of the current democratic dispensation.
Reflecting on the country’s political history, the former governor recalled that Nigeria had only three registered political parties when the current democratic era began in 1998/1999.
He said his political career began during that period as the founding State Chairman of the AD before he later became the party’s National Legal Adviser.
Among those who attended the reunion were Chief Michael Odurinde, one of the founding fathers of the AD; Prof. Udenta Udenta, the party’s founding National Secretary; and Dr Manzo Abubakar, former Protem National Publicity Secretary and leader of the AD Northern Caucus.
Dickson said the meeting provided an opportunity for former AD leaders and associates to reflect on their contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.
“The AD was an ideological and principled party,” he said.
He added that his experience in the AD, combined with his involvement in the Ijaw and Niger Delta movements, helped shape his approach to political organisation and opposition politics.
“My experience in the AD and my involvement in the Ijaw and Niger Delta movements taught me the art of organising people and groups since 1998, and prepared me for a life of principled opposition politics,” Dickson said.
According to him, principled politics requires conviction, courage and commitment, values he said have continued to influence his political activities within the NDC.
The former governor expressed appreciation to the former AD leaders and associates who attended the reunion. Participants also observed a minute’s silence in memory of deceased leaders and colleagues.
Dickson said those present described the reunion as long overdue and agreed to hold another gathering in the future.
He disclosed that the organising committee would develop plans for a broader reunion that would accommodate members who could not attend the Abuja meeting.
He added that a communication system had been established to keep members of the former political network informed about future meetings and ensure that those unable to attend receive advance notice.
Dickson thanked all participants for attending and wished them safe journeys back to their respective destinations.
