Dickson Appoints Takori, Ilo, Nwosu as Aides, Restructures NDC Communications Team

Former Bayelsa Governor names Political Adviser, CTA and Spokesperson ahead of 2027

National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has announced three key appointments aimed at strengthening the party’s structure and communication ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued Monday by NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director Esq., Dickson named senior journalists and lawyer Sani Takori as Political Adviser, VinMartin Obiora Ilo as Chief Technical Adviser, and Steve Nwosu as Spokesman. The appointments take immediate effect.

According to Dickson, the appointments are designed to reinforce operations, administration and strategic communication around both his office as National Leader and the NDC, which he midwifed.

—Takori: Lawyer, ex-lawmaker, party founder—

Sani Takori, 68, is a lawyer and public administrator from Gummi LGA, Zamfara State. An alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University and NIPSS, he began his career in the old Sokoto State and served as Registrar, Magistrate, Solicitor-General, and later Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Zamfara.

He was elected to the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007. A founding member of the NDC, Takori also served as the party’s Protem National Secretary at registration.

He was once National Legal Adviser to the Council of Ulamas, Chief Legal Officer of the Nigerian Electoral Commission, and served as Secretary of the Yarima Presidential Campaign in 2003 and 2007.

Dickson described him as “a tested and trusted public administrator with a hugely impressive political résumé.”

—Ilo: Broadcast veteran and development expert—

The new Chief Technical Adviser, VinMartin Obiora Ilo, comes with nearly four decades of experience in broadcasting, public service and development consultancy.

An alumnus of Harvard Kennedy School, Ilo holds a degree in Mass Communication from IMT Enugu, an MSc in Development Studies from UNN, and a Masters in International Relations and Strategic Studies from LASU.

He started at Radio Nigeria as a Network Newscaster before moving to AIT, where he retired in 2013 as Director, Special Duties and South East Operations.

He also served as Special Adviser on Media to the Enugu State Governor and was a member of the Governing Board of the NBC.

Until his appointment, Ilo was President and CEO of Signature TV. He hails from Enugu State.

—Nwosu: Veteran editor and media entrepreneur—

Steve Nwosu, a long-time associate of Dickson, takes on the role of Spokesperson. A multi-platform journalist and political communication strategist, he is best known for his satirical weekly column “FRANKTALK”.

A graduate of UNN and Lagos Business School, Nwosu has over 30 years in the media. He worked at The Guardian and THISDAY as Features Editor, Political Editor and Editor of THISDAY on Saturday_.

At The Sun from inception, he was pioneer Editor of Saturday Sun, later Editor of Daily Sun, Executive Director, and Deputy Managing Director/Deputy Editor-in-Chief. He later founded The Nigerian Xpress.

He also served as Controller of News at PLUSTV Africa and on the editorial boards of THISDAY and The Sun.

He currently heads Edibofa Communication and Publishing Limited, owners of People’s FM 105.5 Abuja, People’s FM 93.1 Yenagoa, UTV Africa and The Nigerian Xpress. He is from Imo State.

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Nwosu served eight years on the Standing Committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, including as Treasurer.

—Mandate—

The statement said the brief of the three appointees covers Senator Dickson’s activities both as NDC National Leader and as a serving Senator of the Federal Republic.

Dickson noted that both Ilo and Nwosu come in with “a track record of professionalism, credibility and integrity.”