The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has cautioned supporters of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, against disparaging the party and its leadership.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme, Dickson dismissed reports of a crisis within the NDC, insisting that the party remains united and stable. He stressed that the NDC provided a platform for the candidates and should be accorded due recognition.
“The NDC leadership is intact, and there is no crisis whatsoever,” Dickson said. “Peter Obi is a valued member of our party, and we have, on our own, made him our sole presidential candidate. That decision counts for something.”
He noted that neither Obi, Kwankwaso, nor other presidential aspirants were involved in the party’s formation or registration process.
“None of them was there when we were building and registering this party. They did not contribute financially to its establishment. No presidential candidate paid a dime during that process,” he stated. “The NDC deserves credit for providing this platform. No one is doing the party a favour. Rather, the party and its leadership are supporting the candidates by offering them a platform to contest. It is contradictory to support a candidate while attacking the very leadership of the party that has given him that opportunity.”
Dickson also rejected claims that the NDC sold nomination tickets to the highest bidder, describing such allegations as false and misleading.
“The NDC does not sell nomination forms or tickets,” he said. “As a self-funded party, aspirants are required to make contributions and donations to the party’s accounts. This applies to all categories of aspirants, including those seeking the presidency. These contributions are made to campaign accounts and not to any individual. We provided the platform without negotiating financial terms with any aspirant.”
Commenting on the National Assembly’s position on direct primaries, Dickson argued that political parties should retain the authority to determine their preferred mode of selecting candidates.
“The National Assembly has no business imposing mandatory direct primaries on political parties,” he said. “The choice of primary election method should be left to each party. In many cases, individuals go into the field, gather supporters, declare themselves winners, and present results that may not be recognised by the party’s national leadership.”
He further emphasised the need for stronger institutional capacity within both political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure credible and transparent electoral processes.
This version improves readability, removes repetition, corrects grammar, and adopts a balanced news-reporting style while preserving the original meaning.
About the Author
