NDC under attack, but we shall win – Seriake Dickson

Former Bayelsa State governor and national leader of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Seriake Dickson, has declared that the party is under attack following a court ruling setting aside an earlier order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register it as a political party.

Dickson, however, vowed that the party would survive the legal challenge, insisting that the ruling lacked merit and would not stand.

The Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, had vacated its December 10, 2025 judgment directing INEC to register the NDC.

Delivering ruling in the suit marked FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025, Justice Isah Dashen held that the earlier judgment was delivered without hearing all necessary parties, thereby rendering the proceedings constitutionally defective.

The ruling followed an application by the Peace Movement Party, PMP, which argued that it had a legal interest in the matter and ought to have been joined before the earlier judgment was delivered.

The court also held that material facts were not disclosed during the earlier proceedings and ordered that the substantive suit begin afresh with INEC, PMP and NDC joined as parties.

Reacting to the ruling, Dickson said the decision was aimed at damaging the credibility of the NDC and slowing down its political momentum.

“All I can say is that the order lacks legal merit and is intended to affect the foundational credibility and efforts of our party. The order is illegal and will not stand,” he said.

He described the ruling as anti-democratic and dangerous to Nigeria’s multi-party system.

According to him, the decision was “against multi-party democracy, anti-democratic in nature, and aimed at narrowing and stifling the democratic space.”

Dickson said the NDC had already assembled a team of lawyers to challenge the ruling and urged party members and supporters not to panic.

The former governor alleged that the application which led to the ruling was filed by “an unregistered association” which, according to him, had no legal interest in the matter.

“We are not naive to expect that the tremendous progress we have achieved in the last five months would go without attack,” he said.

“So, we know where this is coming from. It is coming from those who are shocked by the progress the NDC has made within such a short period as a result of our hard work and commitment to deepening multi-party democracy.

“We will not allow this to slow us down or break our spirit. The struggle must continue.”

Dickson also faulted the judge’s decision, saying the party would pursue all available legal options to reverse what he described as a judicial anomaly.

“We will use appropriate judicial channels to correct the judicial anomaly that occurred under the watch of Honourable Justice Dashen. He has clearly erred in law, and we will take steps to correct it,” he said.

He further assured supporters that the party remained on course despite the setback.

“We are under attack, as I have repeatedly said we should prepare for challenges such as this. But thereafter, we shall win,” Dickson said.

The NDC leader added that the ruling had triggered more public support for the party, claiming that thousands of Nigerians registered as members in solidarity after the court decision.

“I sincerely thank Nigerians for the confidence they continue to repose in the NDC. Your support, encouragement, and belief in our vision only strengthen our resolve to continue the struggle to deepen multi-party democracy in Nigeria,” he said.