‘Kwankwassiya, Obidient Movements Valuable’ – NDC National Leader Reveals Details Of Meeting With Kwankwaso

The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has met with former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and senior officials of the party as part of efforts to resolve internal disagreements within the NDC in Kano State.

Naija News reports that Dickson disclosed this in a statement after receiving Kwankwaso and the party officials at his residence on Tuesday evening.

He said the meeting was attended by some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and formed part of his ongoing mediation to ensure unity among party officials in Kano State and Kwankwaso, who he described as the leader of the party in the state and its vice-presidential candidate.

According to Dickson, the NDC is fast emerging as Nigeria’s leading opposition party, adding that disagreements and clashes of interest are expected in every growing political movement.

He said the party had continued to manage such issues through dialogue, consultation and reconciliation.

“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.

“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. We are accustomed to managing such challenges through dialogue, consultation, and reconciliation.”

Dickson said he had been leading similar reconciliation efforts not only in Kano State but across the country in recent months.

The former Bayelsa State governor insisted that the NDC leadership had not imposed candidates on any state chapter of the party.

He said the party remained committed to internal democracy despite the difficulties that usually accompany political contests.

“At no time have we imposed candidates on any state, not even in my home state of Bayelsa,” Dickson said.

“We have consistently allowed democratic processes to play themselves out, despite the imperfections and difficulties that naturally arise.”

He added that the deliberations with Kwankwaso and the NDC officials were fruitful, expressing confidence that all parties would continue to work together in the interest of the party.

Dickson also spoke on his relationship with Kwankwaso, saying both men had maintained close political ties since their days in the Peoples Democratic Party.

He recalled that they both served as governors under the PDP and had continued to collaborate on national and political issues over the years.

“His Excellency Senator Kwankwaso and I share a long history of collaboration dating back to our days in the PDP, when we both served as governors, and continuing to the present day,” he said.

“Over the years, we have maintained a close relationship, regularly visiting one another, sharing confidences, discussing national issues, and planning political engagements.”

He said both leaders looked forward to sustaining the partnership in the interest of the NDC and the country.

Dickson described the Kwankwasiyya Movement, the Obidient Movement and other support groups as valuable mobilisation networks that would be accommodated within the NDC structure.

He said he had earlier received a courtesy delegation from the Obidient Movement and promised to ensure their integration into the party’s activities at various levels across the country.

According to him, he had also requested the list of Kwankwasiyya coordinators for onward transmission to the party for similar integration.

“The Kwankwasiyya Movement, the Obidient Movement and other support groups remain valuable mobilisation networks,” he said.

“I had earlier received a courtesy delegation some weeks ago by the Obidient Movement and promised to ensure their integration into the activities of our party at various levels across the country; and the same for the Kwankwasiyya movement which I have asked for their list of coordinators to be forwarded to the party for the same purpose.”

Dickson said the process would be carried out in a structured and orderly manner.

He added that the NDC remained open to all members, stakeholders, support groups and volunteers who share its vision, stressing that the party was committed to building a strong and disciplined political institution.