Tensions have emerged within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after senior party officials accused the party’s Vice Presidential candidate, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, of attempting to hijack its North West structure and marginalise long-standing members.
The allegations were made in a joint statement signed by the party’s Northwest Vice Chairman, Mohammed Rabiu Serina, and the Kano State Chairman, Hussaini Isa Mariga. The duo claimed that Kwankwaso and his supporters had sought to dominate the party’s structure in Kano State, allegedly sidelining non-Kwankwasiyya members from contesting elective offices on the party’s platform.
According to the statement, both Serina and Mariga described themselves as pioneer members of the NDC, noting that they were appointed by the party’s National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, prior to the party’s formal registration. They further stated that they were later confirmed as substantive officers through congresses and the party’s national convention.
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The officials also maintained that they played a key role in establishing the party’s structures across Kano State and the wider North West region before Kwankwaso and his allies joined the party.
“The problems began when Kwankwaso sought complete control of the party structure in Kano State during the state congresses,” the statement read.
They further alleged that the dispute over control of the party machinery led to the intervention of Henry Seriake Dickson, who reportedly convened a reconciliation meeting. According to them, the agreement reached granted Kwankwaso and his supporters 60 per cent control of the party structure in Kano State, while the remaining 40 per cent was retained by the party’s original structure.
The allegations have highlighted growing internal divisions within the NDC, raising concerns about unity within the party ahead of future elections. As of the time of filing this report, neither Rabi’u Kwankwaso nor his representatives had issued an official response to the claims.
