Seriake Dickson, national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has cautioned supporters of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, against attacking the party and its leadership while claiming to support him.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday, Dickson said Obi’s supporters must recognise the role played by the NDC in providing a platform for the former Anambra governor’s presidential ambition.
His remarks come amid growing tensions within the party, with some supporters of Obi criticising NDC leaders over the conduct of the party’s recent primaries and internal affairs.
Responding to suggestions that the NDC needed Obi as much as Obi needed the party, Dickson rejected the narrative that the former governor was doing the party a favour.
“This is a narrative that has to be carefully managed before you people make others feel bad,” he said.
“Don’t make it look like anyone is doing NDC a favour. Rather, the NDC and I and my colleagues are doing people a favour by granting our platform to them.”
THE BIG WIGS BEFORE OBI
The former Bayelsa governor said the party had existed and attracted political heavyweights long before Obi and other recent entrants joined its ranks.
“If it were easy for people to form a party, they would form theirs,” he said.
“Before Peter Obi and Kwankwaso came in, Nigerians from all walks of life were coming to our party.”
Dickson recalled receiving several prominent politicians into the NDC months before the party’s presidential ticket was settled.
“I received Marafa from Zamfara. I received Binani from Adamawa and several other people across the country,” he said.
The senator stressed that supporters of Obi should refrain from attacking the party leadership if they genuinely want the former governor to succeed.
“You cannot be supporting Peter Obi if you are genuinely supporting him, and you are disparaging me, the leader, or the platform itself,” he said.
“That is nonsensical.”
Dickson also noted that the NDC had given Obi significant concessions by making him its sole presidential candidate.
“Peter Obi is a cherished member of our party,” he said.
“And on our own, we have made him a presidential candidate — sole presidential candidate. That counts for something.”
He added that the party remains committed to supporting Obi’s presidential bid while building the NDC into a strong and enduring political institution.
