By Soni Daniel, Editor, Northern Region
National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Senator Seriake Dickson, declared on Thursday that the party gave both its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi and vice-presidential candidate, Eng. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso free hand to choose candidates and officials for various positions.
Senator Dickson, who spoke at a news conference in Abuja, rejected claims in certain quarters that there was a conflict of interest between the leadership on one hand and Peter Obi and Kwankwaso on the other hand.
“There is absolutely no dispute between me as the party leader and Kwankwaso or Obi because we all agreed to work together to move Nigeria forward,” Seriake said at the news conference, warding off claims of conflict of interest among them.
The Bayelsa Senator pointed out that both Obi and Kwankwaso were consulted on every step taken before, during and after the primaries of the NDC and that both men were allowed to nominate and fill certain positions in their respective states and zones in a deliberate attempt to build consensus.
Dickson explained that the decision to concede certain offices and positions to both men was based on the understanding that they understood their terrains better than those in Abuja and that they would pick the best candidates to win elections for the party.
The former governor said: “We cannot sit in Abuja and determine the dynamics of each state and region in the country. That was why we allowed the elders of the respective places to determine who emerges as candidates because we want to drive out the ruling APC government which is causing Nigerians headache and hardship.
“We are satisfied with the quality of our candidates who are in a good position to defeat those of the ruling APC. It does not make sense for anyone to claim to love the NDC than we who gave them free tickets to represent us.
“We in the leadership of the NDC did not influence the emergence of any of the candidates, whose names will be published once the appeal panel concludes its work before we submit same to INEC,” Dickson said.
Reacting to claims of receiving money from candidates before granting tickets for various positions, Dickson fumed over such suggestion, insisting that the party did not collect a dime from either Peter Obi or Kwankwaso before giving them ticket as their presidential candidates.
The former governor said the decision to give free tickets to its candidates was based on the fact that the NDC was not formed as a one-man party or a special purpose vehicle for anyone to use and actualize personal political ambition but to work for the overall benefit of Nigerians.
On the allegation that the party has coerced candidates to swear to an oath of allegiance and commitment, the national leader retorted: “We have no apology for asking our candidates to swear to an affidavit of commitment so that they can stay in the party and work its progress after winning election.”
He also defended the acceptance of money from members of the party, arguing that the party’s constitution allows for free donations and levies from committed members, saying that such donations do not amount to collecting bribes.
On the controversy surrounding Aisha Yesufu’s ticket for the FCT Senate ticket, Dickson said that Aisha was offered a ticket for the House of Representatives but she rejected it and insisted on running as a senator.
The NDC has been embroiled in internal dispute lately over the emergence of candidates for various political positions even though the final list of such elected officials is yet to be made public, thereby fueling intense anxiety and controversy among members.
