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The National Leader of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, on Friday held a closed-door meeting with the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, amid recent crises in the party.

Dickson made this known in a statement on his official X handle, revealing that the meeting, which lasted nearly three hours, was attended by Obi and other senior party leaders.

“I just received my brother, colleague, and partner in the New Nigerian Project, His Excellency Mr Peter Gregory Obi, CON, our presidential candidate, who, together with some distinguished leaders of our party, held a closed-door meeting which lasted about three hours.

“In the course of that meeting, we reviewed the activities of our party and discussed a few recent issues that have been a source of concern to all sides, and we amicably resolved all the issues.

“We have always been on the same page on the bigger picture, i.e., winning the elections for all candidates of our party and rescuing Nigeria from the misgovernance of the APC-led government. However, a few issues have arisen, and we have agreed on how to handle them moving forward.

“I want to use this opportunity again to call on all members of our party to stop the bickering and name-calling and focus on the bigger picture.

“Both His Excellency Peter Obi and I, as well as other leaders and stakeholders of our party, will continue to consult and engage with one another to address and resolve concerns, strengthen the unity and cohesion of our party, and ensure that we remain focused on our shared mission of rescuing Nigeria and building a better future for all.”

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Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has reportedly collapsed and was subsequently taken to a hospital following a confrontation with the Nigerian police during a Democracy Day protest.

Witnesses at the scene alleged that Sowore collapsed after police operatives moved to disperse protesters gathered to demonstrate against insecurity, economic hardship and what they described as poor governance, at the Phase 1 Bridge before Federal Secretariate.

The protest, which attracted scores of activists and civil society groups, was disrupted after security personnel deployed tear gas canisters in an apparent attempt to break up the gathering.

It was reported that chaos erupted as protesters scampered for safety amid clouds of tear gas. In the confusion, Sowore was reportedly affected by the tear gas and subsequently lost consciousness.

Supporters and fellow activists immediately rushed to his aid and evacuated him from the protest ground. Sources close to the activist said he regained consciousness while being transported away from the scene in a vehicle.

Following the incident, Sowore has now been reportedly taken to an undisclosed hospital for further examination and treatment.

The incident heightened tensions at the Democracy Day protest, where demonstrators had gathered to express concerns over rising insecurity, economic challenges and governance issues in the country.

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has said it is focused on taking over Aso Rock in 2027.

The party made the assertion in a statement posted on its verified X handle on Friday.

The statement insisted that there is no crisis in the party as widely reported.

This is coming after the national leader of the party, Seriake Dickson, on Friday held a closed-door meeting with the presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

“There are no issues in the NDC.

We are focused on taking Aso Rock,” the statement said.

Speaking on the meeting with Obi, Dickson said they reviewed activities of party and discussed recent issues that have been a source of concern to all sides.

He said all the issues were amicably resolved.

According to him, the party’s members would continue to consult and engage with one another to address and resolve all concerns and strengthen their unity.