Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, who heads the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has pushed back against suggestions that the party’s top figure, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, is secretly aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rather than throwing his weight behind Peter Obi’s presidential campaign.
Cleopas addressed the issue while speaking to journalists after a two-day session of the NDC National Working Committee, an event covered by SYMFONI.
The party chief expressed displeasure over online discussions questioning Dickson’s political position, arguing that the claims presented a false picture of the senator’s relationship with the NDC and its presidential hopeful.
Reacting to the controversy, Cleopas challenged those spreading the allegations, questioning whether they had properly considered the circumstances before making such assertions.
He stated, “Some social media handlers are saying Seriake Dickson is working for Tinubu and is not supporting Peter Obi. Do they even think?”
Cleopas observed that the accusations were particularly questionable given Dickson’s role in bringing the party into existence. He noted that the narrative being circulated implied that the former Bayelsa governor had reached an undisclosed political understanding with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Rejecting the suggestion, the NDC chairman maintained that Dickson’s conduct within the organisation did not justify the suspicions being raised against him.
He recounted that several associates had previously encouraged Dickson to pursue the party’s presidential nomination. However, the senator reportedly declined because he had not settled on contesting the presidency and was unwilling to make commitments he could not fulfil.
According to Cleopas, Dickson would have pursued the presidential ticket himself if his objective had been to exploit the party for personal political arrangements. Instead, he maintained, the senator gave other aspirants the opportunity to seek the nomination.
The chairman further referenced Dickson’s record in public service, including his tenure as Bayelsa governor and his subsequent involvement in legislative activities.
He argued that the senator’s experience and political standing could have positioned him for a presidential contest, but Dickson had chosen to serve the party in another role.
Cleopas also disclosed that Dickson remained involved in strategic engagements with Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and members of the NDC National Working Committee.
He explained that these consultations covered preparations for the presidential campaign council and other activities connected to the approaching elections.
The party chairman called on media practitioners to verify claims before circulating reports capable of creating suspicion among NDC members.
He warned that spreading unconfirmed information could damage internal relationships and create unnecessary disagreements among party leaders.
Cleopas insisted that Dickson had remained dedicated to the NDC since its establishment and rejected claims that the former Bayelsa governor was secretly pursuing an alternative political partnership.
He maintained that the party remained committed to advancing the interests of its presidential and vice-presidential candidates as preparations for the next election continued.
