2027: ‘I’m NDC, Not Obidient or Kwankwasiyya’ — Dickson

National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has clarified that he does not belong to either the Obidient or Kwankwasiyya political support groups, saying his allegiance is solely to the NDC.

Dickson made the clarification during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Wednesday while discussing the relationship between the party and the support groups associated with its presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

“I’m not a member of Kwankwasiyya. I’m not a member of Obedient. I am NDC,” Dickson said.

He acknowledged that both groups have distinct identities and are entitled to operate independently, but noted that their principals are the NDC’s candidates for the 2027 presidential election.

“Kwankwasiyya has a right to be on its own under the constitution, and same for the Obedient group. Their principals are our candidates, presidential candidate and running-mate,” he said.

According to the former Bayelsa State governor, the NDC has settled its internal political issues following the emergence of its candidates and is now concentrating on securing victory in the 2027 election.

“There are no internal battles to fight in the NDC. We have decided candidature. The next stage of the battle, strategically, is to win the election,” he said.

Dickson urged members of the party and supporters of the various groups linked to its candidates to focus their energy on campaigning to Nigerians rather than engaging in internal disagreements.

He also said the relationship between the NDC leadership, Obi and Kwankwaso was not a recent development, noting that they had interacted and worked together in different political settings over the years.

“I have held several meetings and even before now, we used to meet over the years. We have been colleagues, partners and friends, sometimes in the same camp, in the same party, other times, but always meeting,” he said.

Dickson said the party’s overriding objective was to win the 2027 election, urging the different support groups associated with Obi and Kwankwaso to work towards that common goal.

“We have a partnership that is committed to winning the next elections. That is the most important thing,” the NDC national leader said.