By Peter Salami
Fresh cracks appear to be emerging within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) following the party’s controversial primaries, with National Leader Senator Henry Seriake Dickson publicly rebuking the party’s presidential ticket while prominent activist and NDC chieftain Aisha Yesufu accused the leadership of refusing to take responsibility for its mistakes.
The latest exchange comes amid growing discontent within the opposition party over the conduct of its primaries and allegations that the leadership has failed to adequately manage the fallout.
Addressing party leaders, in a report monitored on AIT, Dickson appeared to express frustration over criticisms directed at the emergence of the NDC presidential ticket comprising Peter Obi and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Defending the party’s decision to hand both men the presidential and vice-presidential tickets without a contest, Dickson argued that the NDC had treated them fairly and made significant sacrifices to accommodate them.
“This party is a party for all Nigerians. They are now, by the decisions that this party has taken, our flag bearers. We have no issues with any of them,” Dickson said.
He noted that neither Obi nor Kwankwaso was required to participate in a primary contest and insisted that no money was demanded or received from either man before they were adopted as the party’s standard-bearers.
“If I were running or you yourself were running and you’re given a presidential nomination, has the party not done anything for you? Let’s be sincere to ourselves now,” he said.
“There was no primary contest. Nothing. As I said last night, neither I nor the chairman nor anybody here demanded or received any money from them before making them sole presidential candidates. Haba, what else do people want?”
Although Dickson did not directly accuse either Obi or Kwankwaso of ingratitude, his comments have been interpreted by party insiders as a rare public reprimand of the NDC’s presidential ticket amid lingering tensions within the party.
The remarks came on the heels of a sharp response from Aisha Yesufu, one of Obi’s most vocal supporters and a prominent figure within the NDC, to an earlier interview Dickson granted to Arise News.
In a strongly worded statement, Yesufu accused the former Bayelsa governor of making the party’s internal challenges about himself rather than focusing on rebuilding confidence after the controversial primaries.
She said she was particularly disturbed by Dickson’s post-primary media appearances, arguing that he appeared more concerned about asserting his authority than projecting the party’s readiness for the 2027 elections.
“This part of the interview was so painfully appalling to watch,” she wrote.
“It looked as if you were insecure and in competition with your presidential candidate. Your first one-on-one interview after the primaries and instead of selling your candidates and giving confidence to people on how set the road to winning the 2027 election was, you made it about yourself.”
Yesufu also challenged Dickson’s handling of complaints arising from the primaries, claiming he had repeatedly shifted blame whenever concerns were raised about party processes.
According to her, many aspirants and supporters felt alienated by the manner in which the primaries were conducted and expected greater humility and accountability from the leadership.
She disclosed that she had personally worked to calm aggrieved supporters in the Federal Capital Territory after Senate primaries failed to hold as scheduled, despite widespread expectations among party members.
“I toured the FCT pacifying my supporters and party people who rightfully felt disrespected as they were all waiting at their respective headquarters for primaries that never happened,” she said.
The activist argued that the NDC’s leadership should openly acknowledge its shortcomings rather than become defensive.
“The party is young. It was overwhelmed. Mistakes will be made. Accepting the mistakes and being accountable is how the party will get better,” she stated.
Yesufu further warned that internal disputes and what she described as “fragile egos” could distract the party from its broader objective of challenging the ruling APC in 2027.
“There is a whole battle ahead of us. Rescuing Nigeria from the current state it is in should be the main focus, not people’s fragile egos,” she said.
She urged the NDC leadership to focus on reconciliation and coalition-building, stressing that every vote would matter in the next general election.
“No one can take away your leadership of the NDC. No one is interested in that. The focus is on Nigeria and winning the 2027 election,” she added.