National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader, Seriake Dickson on Thursday, condemned a Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja that set aside an order to register his party, calling it “illegal” and “anti-democratic”, pledging to overturn it in court.
He wrote via X:
“This morning, I, like several other leaders, officials, candidates of the NDC, and members of the public, was jolted by the order issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja and presided over by Honourable Justice Isah Dashen,” Dickson said in a statement.
“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. It is against multi-party democracy, anti-democratic in nature, and aimed at narrowing and stifling the democratic space. It will be resisted by all of us and by all lovers of democracy in Nigeria.”
The court on Thursday vacated its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC. It gave no immediate reason. INEC’s published register did not list the NDC as of Thursday evening.
Dickson said the party had instructed lawyers to challenge the decision.
“We have assembled our team of lawyers, and they are taking appropriate steps to set the order aside and restore normalcy,” he said.
He urged NDC members and candidates “to remain calm and continue with their normal political activities.”
Dickson questioned the basis of the suit, saying it was brought by “an unregistered association, which is not a registered political party and has no exclusive right to any logo under the law.”
“Moreover, it was not a necessary party to the suit because it had no interest in the subject matter. It did not apply for registration in 2025, it was not one of the 171 associations that applied, nor was it among the 21 associations shortlisted for registration,” 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.”
Dickson said the ruling was part of wider resistance to the party’s growth.
“We are not naive to expect that the tremendous progress we have achieved in the last five months would go without attack,” he said, citing the quote: “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, then you win.”
“Even with today’s development, thousands of Nigerians are joining us in solidarity. In fact, thousands of Nigerians across the country registered as NDC members today,” he added.
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, is a leading figure in the newly formed NDC, which is seeking to contest the February 2027 general election.
The Presidency, the judiciary and INEC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Under the Electoral Act, political parties must be registered at least six months before polls.