Dare Babalola
Former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has formally welcomed former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his New Nigeria Peoples Party counterpart, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, into the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, in a statement issued on Monday, described the development as an honour and a significant step toward building a strong and ideologically driven political party capable of serving Nigerians for generations.
The former governor said he was pleased to receive both opposition leaders at his Abuja residence on Sunday, where they were officially received into the party.
“Yesterday, it was a pleasure and an honour to receive my brothers and respected political figures in Nigeria, Their Excellencies, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, into the NDC,” Dickson said.
He added that the party was confident Obi and Kwankwaso would contribute meaningfully to the growth of the platform and help strengthen its vision of selfless service to the people.
“We warmly welcome them and trust that they will join us in building a formidable, ideologically driven party for generations to come — one that embodies the true spirit of selfless service to the people,” he stated.
Dickson also congratulated both politicians on their decision to join the party and thanked Nigerians for their continued support and prayers.
Obi and Kwankwaso, who were presidential candidates of the Labour Party and NNPP respectively in the 2023 general election, formally joined the NDC during a welcome gathering held on Sunday evening in Abuja.
The duo reportedly arrived at Dickson’s residence around 5 p.m. and were received by key leaders of the party, including the National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe.
Party leaders later held a closed-door meeting that lasted nearly two hours before ending shortly before 7 p.m.
Speaking after the meeting, Dickson reportedly described Obi and Kwankwaso as “very suitable suitors,” while expressing optimism about their entry into the party.
Kwankwaso, in his remarks, urged Nigerians interested in contesting elections under the NDC platform to register immediately, noting that the party would submit its membership register on May 6.
Obi also highlighted the records of himself and Kwankwaso as former governors of Anambra and Kano states, saying both men remained committed to national development.
He said they joined the NDC to help build a united, secure and prosperous Nigeria that would work for all citizens.
The event ended with the presentation of NDC membership cards to both politicians, amid growing expectations that they may emerge as the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the 2027 general election.
