Politics
‘It’s nonsensical to support Obi and disparage me, NDC’ — Seriake Dickson
The founder and national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has cautioned supporters of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, against attacking the party and its leadership, describing such actions as counterproductive to Obi’s presidential ambition.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Dickson dismissed claims of a crisis within the NDC and insisted that the party remains united despite disagreements arising from its recent primary elections.
Reacting to criticisms from some Obi supporters, Dickson argued that it was illogical for individuals who want the former Anambra State governor to win the presidency to undermine the platform on which he is contesting.
“You cannot be supporting Peter Obi, if you are genuinely supporting him, and you are disparaging me, the leader, or the platform itself. That is nonsensical,” Dickson said.
“I don’t know what these supporters gain by disparaging a platform that their so-called… the person they are supporting is running on.”
According to him, the NDC remains the vehicle through which Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, hope to secure victory in the 2027 presidential election.
“Now, NDC is the vehicle that will take Peter Obi and Kwankwaso to the Villa. So if they understand the processes, even if there’s no gratitude to those who set up the NDC and offered it, they should know that they are hurting themselves if they run down the platform,” he warned.
Dickson also sought to dispel reports of internal turmoil within the party, saying the growing interest in the NDC should not be mistaken for instability.
“The NDC leadership is intact, and there’s no crisis whatsoever. There’s even no crisis of confidence. And a lot of Nigerians believe in us,” he stated.
While acknowledging complaints from some aspirants over the conduct of the party’s primaries, Dickson admitted that the process was not perfect but attributed the challenges to the demands of direct primaries and a tight electoral timetable.
“We feel what they feel. They feel some of the processes were not perfect. And I will be one of the first to admit that, yes, direct primaries—in the way and manner the Electoral Act stipulated—have created a crisis,” he said.
The former Bayelsa State governor also addressed allegations that activist Aisha Yesufu was mistreated during the party’s internal processes. Without referring to any specific incident, he maintained that the NDC remains open to all members and does not operate a system of exclusion.
“Can you define the nature of the ill-treatment? Because there are people who, maybe because they’re popular on social media and well-known, they may not want to play by the rules,” Dickson said.
“As for today, Aisha Yesufu is a member of our party, and we welcome her.”
Dickson further rejected claims that the NDC awards tickets based on financial strength, insisting that while resources are important in politics, the party does not sell nominations to the highest bidder.
“But let me tell you as a fact, the NDC does not sell nomination forms to people based on how much they have,” he said.
He also revealed that Obi and Kwankwaso joined the party without any financial obligation and are working closely with the leadership to strengthen the platform.
“Obi and Kwankwaso did not pay one naira. We are working together. He’s our presidential candidate, and he’s a running mate, and we’re working on building it together,” Dickson said.
The senator expressed confidence that the NDC would remain united ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that growing public dissatisfaction with insecurity, economic hardship and governance challenges has strengthened the demand for political change.
The post ‘It’s nonsensical to support Obi and disparage me, NDC’ — Seriake Dickson appeared first on Vanguard News.
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The Special Assistant to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, has insisted that the primary election that produced the former Vice president as the party’s flag bearer was not fraudulent.
Shaibu downplayed dismissed allegations by the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal that the ADC’s primary election was rigged.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Shaibu maintained that the ADC’s primary election was not manipulated.
Shaibu maintained that the burden of proving the allegations rests on Lawal.
According to him, Atiku was the most popular among the contestants, which included former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, making his victory unsurprising.
“Anybody who claims rigging or irregularity in the last election should check the places and locations they won. Where are the states that Rotimi Amaechi won?
“If you check the figures and the margins he got there, you will know that those are his strongholds. It was not a fraudulent process,” he said.
Shaibu also likened Lawal’s reaction to that of a baby throwing tantrums after being deprived of its mother’s breast.
“Babachir reminds me of a baby who is yanked off her mother’s breast while suckling. It is like a deprived suckling; definitely the baby will throw tantrums.
“He admitted on your show that his preferred candidate was Hayatu-Deen. He worked for him,” Shaibu said.
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Former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, says the flag bearer of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, will dump the party if their expectations are not realized.
Ahmad made this statement in a post on his verified X handle.
According to him, Peter Obi and Kwankwaso see the NDC primarily as a vehicle for the 2027 elections.
He added that the difference in political timelines and objectives could make it difficult for the party’s national leader, Seriake Dickson, and Obi/Kwankwaso’s ambitions to align sustainably.
“If Obi and Kwankwaso’s expectations are not realised within the party, they will definitely move on to another platform ahead of the 2031 for the same reason.
“It is obvious that Dickson is only pursuing a long-term political project, not a short-term electoral arrangement.
“From what I understood, his focus is to build a formidable political platform this time that could position him strongly for presidency in 2031 or so,” he wrote.
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed June 16 to June 25, 2026, for the conduct of political party primaries in restored state constituencies across Benue, Delta, Jigawa and Kogi states ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The commission announced the decision in a press statement issued on Wednesday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
According to INEC, the action followed court judgments directing the restoration of several previously suppressed constituencies and was carried out in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2026.
In Benue State, the restored constituencies are Nyamatsor, Ukum Afia, Konshisha III (Shangev-Tiev), Makurdi III (South East), and Gboko III State Constituencies.
INEC said the special primary elections would enable political parties to nominate candidates for the restored constituencies in preparation for the 2027 general election.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all other timelines and activities contained in the already published revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election shall apply to the restored constituencies,” the commission stated.
The electoral body also directed political parties to submit notices of their primaries to the commission before the scheduled dates, citing the peculiar nature of the arrangement.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to conducting credible, inclusive and transparent electoral processes as preparations for the 2027 general election continue.
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