Seriake Dickson, national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), says the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya movements will be formally integrated into the structures of the NDC as part of efforts to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a post on X on Tuesday night, the former Bayelsa governor said ongoing disagreements within the party would be resolved through dialogue and reconciliation.
Dickson’s remarks came after he hosted Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and other party officials at his Abuja residence amid reports of tensions over the control of the party structure in Kano state.
There had also been reports that the Kwankwaso bloc and other stakeholders within the party had agreed to a 60:40 power-sharing arrangement in Kano.
According to Dickson, the meeting formed part of his mediation efforts aimed at ensuring unity among party leaders in the state.
“The meeting was part of my ongoing mediatory efforts aimed at ensuring that our party officials in Kano state and the leader of the party in the state, who is also our vice-presidential candidate, remain on the same page at this critical moment in the life of our party,” he said.
Dickson described the NDC as a rapidly growing opposition platform, acknowledging that disagreements were inevitable in a party experiencing expansion.
“The NDC is fast emerging as the leading opposition party in Nigeria, and as with every growing political movement, disagreements and clashes of interest are inevitable,” he said.
“We are accustomed to managing such challenges through dialogue, consultation and reconciliation.”
NO IMPOSITION OF CANDIDATE
The former governor denied allegations that the party imposed candidates during its recently concluded primaries.
“At no time have we imposed candidates on any state, not even in my home state of Bayelsa,” he said.
“We have consistently allowed democratic processes to play themselves out despite the imperfections and difficulties that naturally arise.”
Dickson said discussions with Kwankwaso were productive and expressed confidence that all parties would continue to work together in pursuit of victory at the polls.
He also revealed plans to formally accommodate support groups associated with the party’s leading figures.
“The Kwankwasiyya Movement, the Obidient Movement and other support groups remain valuable mobilisation networks,” he said.
“I had earlier received a courtesy delegation from the Obidient Movement and promised to ensure their integration into the activities of our party at various levels across the country.”
He added that a similar process would be carried out for the Kwankwasiyya movement.
“The same applies to the Kwankwasiyya movement, which I have asked to forward the list of their coordinators to the party for the same purpose,” he said.
“This process will be undertaken in a structured and orderly manner.”
Dickson said the party remains open to all Nigerians who share its vision and pledged to continue building the NDC into what he described as “a strong, disciplined and enduring political institution bigger than any of its members.”
