Dickson Fires Back at Obi, Kwankwaso Supporters: ‘Stop Running Down NDC

National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) , Senator Seriake Dickson

Dickson Fires Back at Obi, Kwankwaso Supporters: ‘Stop Running Down NDC

The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) , Senator Seriake Dickson, has issued a stern warning to overzealous supporters of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, cautioning them against disparaging and running down the political platform that carries their aspirations ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme, the former Bayelsa State governor dismissed rumours of an internal crisis, firmly asserting that the political party is doing the candidates a favour by granting them a platform, rather than the other way around.

In his address to the candidates’ followers, Dickson emphasised the foundational sacrifices made by the party’s leadership long before the prominent political heavyweights defected to the fold. “Peter Obi is a cherished member of our party. On our own, we have made him sole presidential candidate, and that counts for something. None of them was part of the formation when we were registering this party; they were not there. They didn’t pay one naira, no presidential candidate paid ‘shishi’,” Dickson stated.

He reminded critics that neither Obi nor Kwankwaso was part of the initial formation or registration process of the party, noting that they did not contribute financially to its establishment. “You have to grant NDC some credit. Stop making it look like anyone is doing NDC a favour. No one is. Rather, the NDC and my colleagues are doing them [candidates] a favour by granting them our platform,” he said.

The Senator expressed frustration that supporters are attempting to portray the candidates as doing the NDC a favour, arguing that followers cannot claim to support the candidate while simultaneously insulting the leader of the host platform. “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 warned.

Dickson further argued that the growing belief that the NDC was benefiting from Obi’s popularity was inaccurate, insisting that the party was instead extending an opportunity to the former Labour Party presidential candidate. “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.

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In a notable remark during the interview, Dickson declared that he possesses stronger credentials to contest for Nigeria’s highest office than Obi and Kwankwaso, although he said he deliberately decided against pursuing the presidency. “There is no one more qualified than me to run for the presidency. And for some reasons, I did not want to,” Dickson said. He noted that several prominent politicians had approached the NDC before Obi joined the party, including Senator Aishatu Binani from Adamawa State and others from across the country.

Dickson flatly denied allegations that the NDC sold nomination tickets to the highest bidders, describing such claims as unfounded. “The NDC doesn’t sell nomination tickets to people. What we have done, because we are a self-funding party, is to have aspirants make contributions and donations to the party account, and it applies to all categories of aspirants including the presidential aspirants,” Dickson explained. He added that a presidential aspirant is required to make a donation to the presidential campaign account, not to any individual, stressing: “We gave our platform to them [aspirants] without discussing money.”

Addressing concerns over donations, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, denied that there was any rift within the party. He said donations by party members were voluntary and neither compulsory nor fixed, explaining that all donations are paid directly into official party accounts to ensure accountability and transparency.

Turning to broader electoral issues, Senator Dickson criticized the National Assembly’s interference in party administration, arguing that lawmakers have no business mandating direct primaries for political parties. He insisted that the choice of the mode of primary elections should be left entirely to the discretion of individual parties, highlighting that direct primaries often lead to chaotic situations where factions generate parallel and unverified results from unmonitored crowds.

Meanwhile, fresh internal tensions have emerged within the NDC in Kano State, with senior party officials accusing Kwankwaso of attempting to dominate the party’s structure and sideline other stakeholders. According to a petition reportedly submitted to Dickson by the North-West Vice Chairman of the party, Mohammed Serina, and the Kano State Chairman, Hussaini Mariga, a reconciliation meeting convened by the national leadership had earlier agreed that Kwankwaso and members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement would control 60 per cent of the party structure in Kano, while the remaining 40 per cent would be retained by other stakeholders. However, the Kwankwasiyya Movement rejected the allegations, describing them as false and misleading.

The controversy over nominations gained additional momentum following allegations made by Nollywood actor and lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo, who served as one of the official spokespersons for the Peter Obi/Yusuf Datti Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 elections. Okonkwo recently released what he described as documentary evidence in support of allegations that aspirants were pressured to make payments during the party’s primary elections. In response, Peter Obi has threatened legal action against Okonkwo over the allegations, with a letter by Obi’s legal counsel dated June 9, 2026, describing Okonkwo’s allegations as fabricated and damaging.

The NDC officially endorsed former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as its presidential flagbearer for the 2027 general election at a special national convention in Abuja on May 30, 2026. Shortly after accepting the nomination, Obi announced former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, as his running mate, describing Kwankwaso as a trusted partner who would play a central role in governance rather than serve as a ceremonial deputy.

In his acceptance speech, Obi identified security, national unity, power supply, healthcare, education, youth empowerment and job creation as key priorities of his administration if elected. He also pledged to reduce the cost of governance and ensure prudent management of public resources. Obi further promised that the vice president under his administration would play a meaningful role in governance. “I will make democracy work, and the Vice President will be a partner, not a spare tyre,” Obi stated.

The NDC leader expressed confidence that the party would remain a formidable platform ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that growing public frustration over insecurity, economic hardship and governance challenges has created a strong appetite for political change. “The issues before Nigerians are too serious for us to be distracted by unnecessary divisions. Our focus must remain on insecurity, the economy, unemployment and the future of our country,” Dickson said. He urged supporters to channel their energy towards mobilising voters and promoting the party’s message rather than engaging in internal attacks, maintaining that the NDC leadership remains intact and united.