Dickson cautions Obi and Kwankwaso supporters not to denigrate the NDC or its campaign.

Senator Seriake Dickson, the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), cautioned supporters of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, not to criticize the platform or undermine the party.

Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme, Dickson denied reports of an internal crisis, stating that the party is providing a platform to the candidates rather than the other way around.

He reminded supporters of the sacrifices made by the NDC’s leadership before prominent figures joined the party.

“The NDC leadership is intact and there is no crisis whatsoever,” Dickson said. “Peter Obi is a cherished member of our party. On our own, we have made him the 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’. 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. You cannot be supporting Peter Obi and disparage me, the leader of the platform itself.”

Dickson also denied claims that the NDC sold nomination tickets to the highest bidders.

“The NDC doesn’t sell nomination tickets to people,” he said. “Because we are a self‑funding party, we ask aspirants to make contributions to the party account, and this applies to all categories of aspirants, including presidential aspirants. A presidential aspirant is required to donate to the presidential campaign account, not to anyone. We gave our platform to them [aspirants] without discussing money.”

Regarding the National Assembly and direct primaries, Dickson explained that “the NASS had no business in prescribing mandatory direct primaries. The issue of the mode of primaries should be left for the party to decide. When you say direct primaries, most of those saying they have won are brandishing results that may not be recognized by the national body. They go to the field, gather crowds, and declare themselves winners. That is why I talk about institutional capacity on the part of the regulator (INEC) and on the part of the political party.”

The article “Dickson warns Obi, Kwankwaso supporters against disparaging NDC, running party down” first appeared on Vanguard News.