I’m more qualified to be president than Peter Obi or Kwankwaso – Seriake Dickson

Senator Seriake Dickson said he is more qualified to run for Nigeria’s presidency than leading opposition figures Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, while explaining that he chose not to seek the office.

The remarks came on Wednesday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, where Dickson answered questions about the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), its leadership and the party’s relationship with Obi.

He noted that the NDC gave Obi a platform without demanding any payment, and that neither Obi nor his running mate paid money to secure their nominations.

According to Dickson, the narrative that the NDC was benefiting from Obi’s presence in the party is misplaced; instead, the party is offering a platform to the former Labour Party presidential candidate.

He dismissed reports of a crisis within the NDC, stating that Obi remains a valued member and that both sides are working together harmoniously.

Dickson blamed tensions on some supporters who, he said, disparage the party while claiming to support Obi.

The former Bayelsa governor also revealed that several politicians had approached the NDC before Obi joined, arguing that the party should be respected for its role in building an alternative political movement ahead of the 2027 elections.

“If we didn’t like them, if they are not people who have confidence in me or I have confidence in them, we wouldn’t offer the platform,” Dickson said. “And they didn’t pay one naira. They didn’t pay ‘shishi’. Okay, nobody pays ‘shishi’.”

He continued, “So, if a presidential candidate didn’t pay shishi to be made sole presidential candidate, and a vice‑presidential candidate didn’t pay shishi to become sole vice‑presidential candidate, that same party cannot be the one saying …”

“I think that I have to be given the credit. There is no one more qualified than me to run for the presidency. And for some reasons, I did not want to,” he added.

“So don’t make it look like anyone is doing me and the NDC a favour. No one is. Rather, the NDC is the one granting a platform, and that narrative is important.”

“You cannot be supporting Peter Obi, if you are genuinely supportive, and at the same time discouraging me, the leader, or the platform itself. That is nonsense. If it were easy for people to form a party, if it were easy …”

“Now, before Peter, I received Binani from Adamawa and several other people for five months. People should be careful. Okay, as we move on, the platform is there.”

“Peter Obi is a cherished member of the party, and on our own, we have made him the sole presidential candidate. And that counts for something.”

“And we are working well together.”

“There’s no crisis. It is these supporters who I don’t know what they gain by disparaging the platform.”