The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has declared that it will not tolerate the imposition of candidates in any state across the country. The opposition party made this known on Tuesday following a meeting between its national leader, Seriake Dickson, and leaders of the Kwankwasiya movement, a political group founded by former Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Meeting with Kwankwasiya Delegation
In a statement posted on its verified X handle, the NDC acknowledged the ongoing crisis between the Kwankwasiya movement and older party members in Kano State. The party warned that it would not impose candidates in Kano State or any other part of the country, reiterating its commitment to internal democracy and inclusive participation.
The NDC described the meeting with the Kwankwasiyya delegation, hosted by Mr Dickson, as fruitful and productive. “A delegation of the national leadership of the Kwankwasiya movement last night met with the national leader, His Excellency Senator Henry Seriake Dickson and the leadership of the NDC,” the statement read. “The closed-door meeting was aimed at resolving the issues between the Kwankwasiya movement and the legacy officials of the NDC in Kano State.”
Mediation for Inclusion
Senator Dickson and the NDC leadership are mediating the process to enhance inclusion and participation by every party member. The party emphasized that it will not impose candidates in Kano State or anywhere else in the nation, as it cherishes the virtues of internal democracy. The meeting, which lasted several hours, was described as productive.
The NDC also clarified that it has not released any official results of its primary elections in any state. “Hence, the public and party members are urged to disregard any such list in circulation,” the statement added.
Allegations of Deviation
The NDC’s statement followed reports that a petition co-signed by the NDC chairperson in Kano, Usaini Mairiga, and Muhammed Serina, the NDC Northwest Vice Chairman, was addressed to Mr Dickson. The document allegedly claimed that Mr Kwankwaso had deviated from a sharing formula agreed upon for the nomination of candidates for the 2027 elections in Kano.
However, in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, Mr Mairiga denied any rift between himself and the Kwankwasiyya movement over candidate nominations. He claimed that he never signed any statement or petition challenging the party’s primary outcomes in Kano.
