By Abubakar Ojima-ojo
Seriake Dickson, senator and national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), says he has intensified efforts to resolve disagreements among stakeholders, following a meeting with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and other chieftains.
Dickson issued a statement after hosting Kwankwaso and members of the party leadership at his residence on Tuesday.
BACKGROUND
On June 7, the NDC issued a statement, warning “all affiliated groups and NGOs” to “operate under the guidance and control of the party and “not to function in parallel with, or independently of, the party structure”.
The party also said it is not a “personality cult” or a “special purpose vehicle to be used and discarded”.
The statement had caused plenty of furore within the Kwankwasiyya and Obidient camps — movements belonging to Kwankwaso and Peter Obi respectively.
‘CLASHES INEVITABLE’
In his clarification statement, Dickson said the meeting was part of ongoing mediation aimed at ensuring harmony between party officials in Kano and the state’s party leader, who also serves as the NDC’s vice-presidential candidate.
The former governor of Bayelsa said the NDC’s rapid emergence as a major opposition platform has inevitably generated disagreements and competing interests.
He, however, said such challenges are being addressed through dialogue, consultation and reconciliation.
“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,” Dickson said.
“We are accustomed to managing such challenges through dialogue, consultation and reconciliation.”
Dickson dismissed claims of candidate imposition within the party, insisting that the NDC has consistently allowed democratic processes to determine its candidates across states.
“At no time have we imposed candidates on any state, not even in my home state of Bayelsa,” he said.
He added that discussions with Kwankwaso and other stakeholders were productive and expressed confidence that all parties would continue to work together in pursuit of the party’s electoral objectives.
The NDC leader described the Kwankwasiyya and Obidient movements as important support groups whose members would be integrated into the party’s structures across the country.
He said he had earlier received a delegation from the Obidient Movement and assured them of inclusion in party activities at different levels.
Dickson said a similar process would be extended to the Kwankwasiyya Movement once its list of coordinators is submitted to the party.
