Rabi’u Kwankwaso, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Presidential candidate, has been accused of taking over the party’s structure in the North West region, according to a joint statement by party officials Mohammed Rabiu Serina and Hussaini Isa Mariga. The two senior party leaders, who hold key positions as Northwest Vice Chairman and Kano State Chairman respectively, allege that Kwankwaso is sidelining non-Kwankwasiyya members from contesting elective offices within the party. They claim this move undermines the party’s inclusivity and democratic principles.
Serina and Mariga described themselves as pioneer members of the NDC, appointed by the party’s National Leader, former Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, even before the party was officially registered. Their appointments were later confirmed through party congresses and the national convention, giving them legitimacy in the party’s hierarchy. They emphasized that they played a crucial role in building the party’s structures across Kano State and the broader Northwest region long before Kwankwaso and his supporters joined the NDC.
The conflict, according to the statement, began when Kwankwaso attempted to assert full control over the party’s structure during state-level congresses in Kano. This led to tensions that required intervention from the national leadership. Henry Seriake Dickson, as the party’s National Leader, stepped in and brokered a compromise. The agreement granted Kwankwaso and his supporters 60 per cent control of the party’s structure in Kano, while the existing party leadership retained 40 per cent. This arrangement was meant to balance influence and maintain unity within the party.
Despite the agreement, Serina and Mariga argue that Kwankwaso has continued to marginalize non-aligned members, effectively hijacking the party’s operations in the region. They insist that the party’s founding principles and democratic processes are being eroded under his leadership. The statement highlights their concern that the party’s credibility and internal cohesion are at risk if such actions continue unchecked.
The allegations have sparked debate within the NDC, particularly in the North West, where party unity is seen as critical for future electoral success. As the party prepares for upcoming elections, the internal rift could affect its performance and public perception. The situation underscores the challenges of integrating influential political figures into new political platforms while preserving inclusivity and fair representation.
The outcome of this dispute may shape the NDC’s trajectory in the region, especially as the party seeks to establish itself as a credible alternative in Nigerian politics. How the national leadership handles this conflict will be closely watched by party members and political observers alike.
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