Obi, Dickson Alerted As NDC Faces N/West Crisis Over Kwankwaso Ticket Row

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is facing a fresh internal crisis as senior party officials in the North-West reportedly prepare to resign over disagreements surrounding the allocation of tickets for the 2027 general elections.

The dispute is said to centre on the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and allegations by some party officials that he has exerted excessive influence over the selection of candidates, particularly in Kano State.

According to a report by Peoples Gazette, members of the NDC executive committee in the North-West are considering leaving the party after months of efforts to reconcile competing political blocs allegedly failed.

The party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and National Chairman, Seriake Dickson, have reportedly been briefed on the development.

Sources within the party claimed that the planned resignations could begin as early as this week.

Among those reportedly considering their political future are the NDC North-West Vice-Chairman, Mohammed Rabiu Serina, and the Kano State Chairman, Hussaini Isa Mariga.

The aggrieved party officials reportedly accused Kwankwaso of refusing to allow other executives to recommend aspirants for elective positions ahead of the 2027 polls.

“Mr Kwankwaso has refused to let other executives put forward their suggested candidates for offices,” an unnamed party official was quoted as saying.

“He nominated candidates of his choice for all the positions from state assembly in Kano to federal offices.”

The report alleged that Kwankwaso secured all 40 Kano State House of Assembly tickets for his political allies.

It further claimed that some of his associates also obtained tickets in the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), a development party insiders reportedly interpreted as an attempt to maintain alternative political options ahead of the election.

Serina, however, reportedly said he was still considering his options and did not expressly confirm that he would resign from the NDC.

Kwankwaso had also not publicly responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.

The reported crisis comes months after the NDC emerged as a growing political platform following Obi’s emergence as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

Obi is expected to face President Bola Tinubu and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in what could become a major three-way contest.

Party sources claimed Dickson had made efforts to reconcile the aggrieved North-West officials, particularly Serina and Mariga, who were said to have played key roles in building the NDC’s structure in the region before Kwankwaso joined the party.

“Mr Kwankwaso was invited into the party, but now he wants to take everything away from the people who laboured to make the party formidable in the North-West,” another unnamed official said.

“We’re seeing this as a sabotage.”

The sources further claimed that Dickson was unhappy with the inability of party leaders to reach a compromise over the disagreement.

Some NDC officials also reportedly questioned Kwankwaso’s financial contribution to the party since joining the political platform.

“We heard he has money, but he hasn’t even bothered to support the party in the region or anywhere in the country,” an official was quoted as saying.

“But his appeal in the region could count ultimately.”

Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor, minister and senator, remains one of the most influential political figures in the North-West.

His political movement has maintained a significant presence in Kano politics, although his previous attempts to build national political alliances have faced challenges.

The reported disagreement has also raised questions about the future of the Obi-Kwankwaso presidential ticket, with some party insiders reportedly expressing concern that the crisis could weaken the NDC’s electoral prospects in the North-West.

Reacting to the report, NDC spokesperson, Osa Director, said he was unaware of any planned mass defection by party officials in the North-West.

“To the best of my knowledge, my party is not facing anything different from what parties all over the world face in terms of politics,” Director said.

“Disagreement arises, and at the end of it, we settle it.”