By Our Correspondent—
Senator Henry Seriake Dickson has held a meeting with former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and senior officials of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at his residence, as part of ongoing efforts to reconcile party leaders in Kano State.
In a Facebook post detailing the talks, Dickson said the gathering was part of his mediatory role to ensure that party officials in Kano and the party’s vice-presidential candidate – who is also the state leader – remain on the same page “at this critical moment in the life of our party”.
Dickson, a member of the National Working Committee, described the NDC as “fast emerging as the leading opposition party in Nigeria”, adding that disagreements were inevitable as the movement grows.
“We are accustomed to managing such challenges through dialogue, consultation, and reconciliation,” he wrote. “That is what I have been doing, not only in Kano State but across the nation for the past months.”
He stressed that the party had never imposed candidates on any state, even his home state of Bayelsa, and that democratic processes had been allowed to play out.
The senator, who served as governor of Bayelsa from 2012 to 2020, said he and Kwankwaso share “a long history of collaboration” dating back to their days in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), when they both served as governors.
“Over the years we have maintained a close relationship, regularly visiting one another, sharing confidences, discussing national issues, and planning political engagements,” he added.
Dickson also confirmed that the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the Obidient Movement – both influential support networks – would be formally integrated into the party.
He said he had earlier received a delegation from the Obidient Movement and had promised their inclusion, and had now asked Kwankwasiyya to forward a list of coordinators to the party.
“Everyone is welcome in the NDC,” Dickson said, “and we deeply appreciate the support, commitment, and participation of all our members, stakeholders, support groups, and volunteers.”
The meeting is the latest in a series of consultations Dickson has been holding across the country to strengthen the NDC’s internal cohesion ahead of future electoral contests.
