By Henry Umoru, ABUJA
THE National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson has held a marathon meeting with former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and senior officials of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in order to unify the party.
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The meeting with the running mate to the Presidential candidate of the party ahead of 2027 elections, Peter Obi was held at the residence of Dickson as part of ongoing efforts to reconcile party leaders in Kano State.
In a Facebook post detailing the talks, Dickson explained that the gathering was part of his mediatory role to ensure that party officials in Kano and the party’s vice-presidential candidate who is also the state leader remain on the same page “at this critical moment in the life of our party”.
The former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West in the present 10th Senate, described the NDC as “fast emerging as the leading opposition party in Nigeria”, adding that disagreements were inevitable as the movement grows.
“We are accustomed to managing such challenges through dialogue, consultation, and reconciliation,” he wrote. “That is what I have been doing, not only in Kano State but across the nation for the past months.”
He stressed that the party had never imposed candidates on any state, even his home state of Bayelsa, and that democratic processes had been allowed to play out.
Dickson further said that he and Kwankwaso share “a long history of collaboration” dating back to their days in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), when they both served as governors.
“Over the years we have maintained a close relationship, regularly visiting one another, sharing confidences, discussing national issues, and planning political engagements,”
He also confirmed that the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the Obidient Movement – both influential support networks would be formally integrated into the party, just as he said that he had earlier received a delegation from the Obidient Movement and had promised their inclusion, and had now asked Kwankwasiyya to forward a list of coordinators to the party.
Dickson said, “Everyone is welcome in the NDC,” Dickson said, “and we deeply appreciate the support, commitment, and participation of all our members, stakeholders, support groups, and volunteers.”
The meeting is the latest in a series of consultations that the NDC National Leader has been holding across the country to strengthen the party’s internal cohesion ahead of future electoral contests.
