By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has hosted leaders, founding members and associates of the former Alliance for Democracy (AD) at a reunion in Abuja.
Dickson disclosed this in a statement on his X handle on Saturday, describing the gathering as an opportunity for political leaders who played significant roles in Nigeria’s democratic struggle to reconnect and reminisce on their contributions to the country’s democratic development.
He recalled that when the current democratic dispensation began in 1998/1999, Nigeria had only three political parties, noting that his political journey started during the period as the founding State Chairman of the AD before he later became the party’s National Legal Adviser.
Among the prominent AD figures who attended the reunion were one of the party’s founding fathers, Chief Michael Odurinde; Prof. Udenta Udenta, the founding National Secretary of the AD; and Dr. Manzo Abubakar, former Protem National Publicity Secretary and leader of the party’s Northern Caucus.
Dickson said the gathering provided an opportunity to relive old memories and reflect on the collective efforts of the former AD members in laying the foundations of Nigeria’s present democratic order.
According to him, the AD was an ideological and principled political party, adding that his experience in the party, as well as his involvement in the Ijaw and Niger Delta movements, taught him the art of organising people and groups.
He said those experiences, dating back to 1998, prepared him for a life of principled opposition politics, which he noted requires conviction, courage and a large heart.
Dickson added that he had continued to apply those principles in his political engagements, including his present involvement in the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He thanked the former AD leaders and associates for honouring the invitation, noting that the reunion also provided an opportunity to pay tribute to deceased leaders and colleagues.
“We observed a minute of silence in memory of our leaders and colleagues, many of whom have gone to be with their Maker,” he said.
The former governor said participants expressed appreciation for the initiative, which they agreed was long overdue, and resolved to reconvene in the future.
He disclosed that the organising committee would work out modalities to enable those who were unable to attend the Abuja reunion to participate in subsequent gatherings, with a view to making the meetings more inclusive.
Dickson further said a system had been established to facilitate regular communication among members and ensure that those unable to attend future meetings due to short notice would be adequately informed ahead of time.
He expressed appreciation to all the participants and wished them safe journeys back to their various destinations.
