The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed allegations that its National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, is secretly working with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to undermine the opposition party.
The party described the allegations as wicked, vexatious and mendacious, insisting that Dickson has no secret or open arrangement with the APC or any of its key figures.
The NDC, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said it would ordinarily have ignored the claims but decided to respond because repeated falsehoods, if left unchallenged, could be mistaken for truth.
The party maintained that Dickson’s record in public service did not support the allegations, arguing that his political conduct demonstrated his commitment to the NDC and its presidential ticket.
According to the statement, ‘Anyone who knows Senator Dickson’s public service record, and is in his right senses, will not associate him with any under-the-table arrangement to sabotage his own party and its Presidential Candidate and running mate, Mr. Peter Obi and Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.’
The opposition party said Dickson could have opted to join the APC but instead chose what it described as the ‘hard, honourable path’ of helping to build the NDC alongside like-minded Nigerians.
It further cited his more than seven years in the Senate, saying his positions on national issues demonstrated ‘strength of character and unwavering solidarity with suffering Nigerians.’
The NDC argued that the allegations were being promoted by political opponents allegedly unsettled by what it described as the growing popularity and acceptance of the party across the country.
‘We are fully aware that these unfounded and baseless allegations are emanating from the ranks of our political opponents, who are envious of the growing popularity, acceptability and organic spread of the NDC across the length and breadth of Nigeria,’ the statement said.
The party urged its members, supporters and well-wishers to remain focused on its political objectives and to work for the victory of Obi and Kwankwaso, as well as other candidates contesting under the NDC platform.