The party said the allegations, which reportedly include claims that some of its leaders are working for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or that Obi could step down for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, are baseless and intended to create divisions within its ranks.

In a statement issued on Monday, the NDC’s Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, Agada Abuh Theophilus, said the party had taken note of Kwankwaso’s response to accusations and claims allegedly circulated by some elements within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The NDC accused political elements of attempting to undermine confidence in its leadership and disrupt the progress of the Obi–Kwankwaso ticket. These allegations and claims of political coordination, however, were presented by the party in its statement and have not been independently established in the information provided.

NDC Warns of Intensifying Propaganda Against Party Leaders

According to Agada, the party believes the alleged campaign against its leading figures could intensify in the coming days and weeks. He urged members and supporters to remain alert to claims that could create suspicion and weaken internal unity.

In the statement, Agada said:

From intelligence available to the NDC leadership, this malicious campaign, rumours and propaganda against Senator Seriake Dickson, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Babachir Lawal, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and even the Presidential Candidate himself, Mr. Peter Obi, is set to be heightened in the coming days and weeks. NDC members and supporters must brace up for this intensified propaganda.

The party argued that the alleged campaign was designed to distract its leaders from their political responsibilities and create friction among members as preparations for the election continue.

Agada further stated:

This devious and divisive propaganda is calculated to create disaffection, suspicion, and internal friction among members of the NDC, with the clear goal of slowing down our momentum. These political elements do not want Babachir Lawal to hold the Middle Belt, North Central, and North-East for the NDC and Obi. They equally seek to distract the Vice-Presidential Candidate from consolidating the North-West, Former President Obasanjo from the South-West, and our National Leader, Senator Dickson, from the South-South.

The statement identified the Middle Belt, North Central, North-East, North-West, South-West and South-South as areas the party believes are important to its political strategy.

The NDC maintained that its supporters should not allow the allegations to distract them from the party’s objectives.

These baseless rumours are deliberate attempts to distract the NDC, its leaders, and its supporters. Our members and supporters must not fall for their antics.

Party Dismisses Claims That Peter Obi Could Step Down for Atiku

The NDC also rejected claims that Obi might withdraw from the presidential race in favour of Atiku Abubakar or accept the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation in a possible Atiku-led administration.

Agada described the reported claims as fabrications and said the party’s leadership had received information suggesting that such allegations could form part of the wider campaign it was warning against.

He said:

From further intelligence available to the party leadership, even the Presidential Candidate is not spared. There are plans to push propaganda that he will step down for Atiku and that he has accepted the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation in an Atiku administration should Atiku win. These are pure fabrications.

The statement did not provide independently verifiable evidence of the alleged plans. The claims about Obi’s possible withdrawal and a proposed government appointment should therefore be understood as allegations that the NDC has rejected, rather than established developments.

NDC Links Dispute to Dickson’s Decision to Back Obi’s Candidacy

The party also linked the reported attacks to Dickson’s decision to provide a platform for Obi and the Obi–Kwankwaso ticket.

According to the NDC, the ADC had previously pursued a political arrangement involving Atiku and Obi. The NDC argued that Dickson’s decision to accommodate Obi disrupted those alleged calculations.

Agada said:

It is particularly instructive that the ADC has remained visibly aggrieved with Senator Henry Seriake Dickson for offering his platform to Mr. Peter Obi. The ADC had earlier positioned itself around a permutation that sought to pair Atiku Abubakar with Peter Obi as Vice President in the hope of securing the presidency. Senator Dickson’s decision to provide a credible and independent platform for the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket has disrupted those calculations and reduced the ADC’s prospects, hence their constant attempts at casting aspersions on him.

These assertions represent the NDC’s interpretation of the political dispute. The statement, as provided, does not independently establish the ADC’s motives or confirm the alleged calculations.

The NDC further argued that Dickson had become a target because of his role in Obi’s move to the party and the decision to give him its presidential ticket.

Agada stated:

Dickson’s only “crime” in all of this is accepting Obi into the NDC and giving him the presidential ticket. Those behind these attacks will stop at nothing to rubbish his name and reputation, as well as those of other party leaders.

Party Cautions Members Against Internal Division

Beyond the allegations involving political opponents, the NDC expressed concern that some of its own members could be influenced by claims directed at senior party figures.

The party warned that repeating unverified accusations could deepen divisions and undermine its campaign.

Agada said:

It is deeply disturbing that some gullible and impressionable members of the NDC have allowed themselves to be swayed by these antics. By lending their voices to the casting of aspersions on Senator Dickson, Kwankwaso, Obasanjo, and Babachir Lawal, they risk becoming unwitting tools in a scheme whose sole objective is to destabilise the NDC from within. Such conduct serves neither the interest of the party, the ticket, nor the Nigerian people.

The party called on its members and supporters to avoid spreading rumours and to remain focused on its political programme.

Its position is that internal cohesion will be important to sustaining the Obi–Kwankwaso ticket and advancing its electoral ambitions.

NDC Reaffirms Commitment to the Obi–Kwankwaso Ticket

The NDC used the statement to reiterate its support for Obi as its presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as his running mate. It also reaffirmed its confidence in Dickson, Obasanjo, Lawal and other figures named in the statement.

Agada said:

The NDC hereby reaffirms its unequivocal commitment to the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket. Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, our Presidential Candidate Mr. Peter Obi, our Vice-Presidential Candidate Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the entire leadership of the party remain firmly focused on the task ahead. We are not in this election merely to contest; we are in it to decisively end the era of the APC and to deliver qualitative, competent, and people-centred leadership to Nigerians.

The party also appealed to its members and supporters, including supporters of its presidential candidate, to disregard claims that Dickson, Obasanjo, Kwankwaso, Lawal and other party figures were working for Tinubu or Atiku.

It urged them to resist what it described as divisive propaganda and maintain their focus on the party’s electoral objectives.

Agada concluded with a call for unity:

Stay focused on the singular goal of delivering the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket. History will not be kind to those who allow themselves to be used as instruments of division at a time when Nigeria needs unity of purpose within the genuine opposition.

Key Takeaways

• NDC rejects allegations: The party has dismissed reported claims targeting its leaders as baseless and unfounded.
• Obi and Kwankwaso remain central to its ticket: The party reaffirmed its commitment to the Obi–Kwankwaso ticket.
• Claims about Obi stepping down were denied: The NDC rejected reports that Obi could withdraw for Atiku or accept a government appointment in an Atiku administration.
• Dickson’s role is a point of dispute: The NDC linked the reported attacks to his decision to provide Obi with a political platform.
• The party warns against internal division: It urged members and supporters not to spread unverified allegations.
• The allegations remain attributed claims: The NDC’s assertions about the motives of political actors have not been independently established in the material provided.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why has the NDC rejected allegations against Peter Obi and other party leaders?

The NDC says the allegations are part of a campaign of rumours and propaganda intended to discredit its leaders, create internal suspicion and weaken the Obi–Kwankwaso ticket.

2. Who issued the NDC statement?

The statement was issued by Agada Abuh Theophilus, the party’s Director of New Media and Strategic Communications.

3. What did the NDC say about Peter Obi stepping down for Atiku Abubakar?

The party rejected the reported claim that Obi would step down for Atiku. It also denied the claim that Obi had accepted a proposed Secretary to the Government of the Federation appointment in a possible Atiku administration.

4. Which political figures were named in the statement?

The statement named Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Henry Seriake Dickson, Olusegun Obasanjo and Babachir Lawal.

5. Why did the NDC mention Henry Seriake Dickson?

The party argued that Dickson had faced criticism because he provided Obi with a platform and the NDC’s presidential ticket. This explanation reflects the party’s position in the statement.

6. What did the NDC ask its members and supporters to do?

It urged them to disregard the reported rumours, avoid actions that could cause internal divisions and remain focused on supporting the Obi–Kwankwaso ticket.

7. Have the allegations against the named political figures been independently verified?

The material provided contains the NDC’s response and its characterisation of the allegations. It does not independently verify the claims about political coordination or establish the motives attributed to the ADC or other political actors.