The National Leader of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, on Friday held a closed-door meeting with the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, amid recent crises in the party.
Dickson made this known in a statement on his official X handle, revealing that the meeting, which lasted nearly three hours, was attended by Obi and other senior party leaders.
“I just received my brother, colleague, and partner in the New Nigerian Project, His Excellency Mr Peter Gregory Obi, CON, our presidential candidate, who, together with some distinguished leaders of our party, held a closed-door meeting which lasted about three hours.
“In the course of that meeting, we reviewed the activities of our party and discussed a few recent issues that have been a source of concern to all sides, and we amicably resolved all the issues.
“We have always been on the same page on the bigger picture, i.e., winning the elections for all candidates of our party and rescuing Nigeria from the misgovernance of the APC-led government. However, a few issues have arisen, and we have agreed on how to handle them moving forward.
“I want to use this opportunity again to call on all members of our party to stop the bickering and name-calling and focus on the bigger picture.
“Both His Excellency Peter Obi and I, as well as other leaders and stakeholders of our party, will continue to consult and engage with one another to address and resolve concerns, strengthen the unity and cohesion of our party, and ensure that we remain focused on our shared mission of rescuing Nigeria and building a better future for all.”
Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has dismissed reports suggesting that he is planning to defect from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued by Tambuwal’s spokesperson, Prince Daniel, on X, the reports circulating on social media were described as false and baseless. The statement insisted that the former governor of Sokoto State had no plans to join the ruling party.
The position was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Prince Daniel, Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the senator, on behalf of the AWT Media Office.
The statement said Tambuwal’s longstanding relationships with politicians across party lines should not be interpreted as evidence of a planned political realignment.
According to the media office, photographs and video clips circulating online did not establish that the senator was negotiating to defect to the APC.
It added that exchanging greetings or interacting with members of other political parties should not be mistaken for a change in political allegiance.
“Senator Tambuwal remains firmly committed to the ADC,” the statement said, adding that his focus was on strengthening the party, building broad cooperation and mobilising Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The media office urged Nigerians to focus on the country’s pressing economic, security and governance challenges rather than engage in unsubstantiated political speculation.
It maintained that Tambuwal remained committed to accountable leadership, democratic values and the welfare of Nigerians.
The statement also called on media organisations and social media commentators to verify reports concerning the senator with his media office before publication.
“Speculation must never be presented as fact,” it added.
The Senior Political Assistant to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Demola Olarewaju, on Monday accused President Bola Tinubu of “doing politics and wickedness” since assuming office in 2023.
Olarewaju said that instead of ensuring good governance, Tinubu had been busy wooing state governors to support his re-election bid in 2027.
He made the remark in reaction to an explanation by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, on why Tinubu would not visit all states to campaign.
Speaking during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, Tinubu said he could not visit all states for campaign activities because he would be focusing on governance.
Commenting on Tinubu’s position, Alake said the president had chosen 12 states to visit because they were “election deciders.”
Alake said, “The 12 states that President Tinubu chose to campaign in are actually election deciders; he should be commended for that. He is not going to abandon governance for campaigning.”
Faulting Alake’s remarks, Olarewaju insisted that Tinubu had no achievements to campaign on.
In a post on X, he wrote, “Bola Tinubu has been doing politics and wickedness since Day One instead of good governance, he was wooing Governors instead.
“Now time for campaign, but no achievement to campaign with. Instead, they want to pretend he’s too busy with governance. #TinubuMustGo abeg.”