By Joy Yesufu
Former Bayelsa State Governor and National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has described the recent ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja against the party, as legally flawed, anti-democratic and a threat to Nigeria’s multi-party democratic system.
Dickson, in a statement issued on Friday, said the court order delivered by Justice Isah Dashen lacked legal merit and was designed to undermine the credibility and growing momentum of the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He insisted that the ruling would not stand, assuring party members that its legal team had already commenced the process of challenging the decision at the Court of Appeal.
According to him, the order represents an attempt to shrink the nation’s democratic space by targeting a political platform that has recorded significant progress within a short period.
“The order lacks legal merit and is intended to undermine the foundational credibility and efforts of our party. It is illegal, anti-democratic and aimed at narrowing the democratic space. It will be resisted by all lovers of democracy in Nigeria,” Dickson said.
The former governor urged NDC members, supporters and candidates nationwide to remain calm and continue with their political activities, describing the development as the first major test of the party’s resilience.
He maintained that the party would pursue every available legal remedy to overturn what he described as a judicial anomaly.
Dickson also questioned the legal standing of the association that instituted the action, arguing that it was neither a registered political party nor one of the associations that participated in the 2025 political party registration exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, the association had no exclusive legal claim to the party’s logo and was not a necessary party in the original suit that led to the registration of the NDC.
He alleged that the court action was politically motivated and orchestrated by interests unsettled by the rapid growth of the party.
“We are not surprised that our progress is attracting resistance. Those behind this move are clearly uncomfortable with the tremendous strides the NDC has made in just five months,” he said.
Despite the setback, Dickson expressed confidence that the party would prevail in court, adding that the legal challenge would ultimately strengthen its resolve.
He further claimed that the controversy had generated increased public sympathy for the NDC, with thousands of Nigerians reportedly registering as members in solidarity following the court ruling.
Quoting one of his favourite sayings on political struggles, Dickson declared: “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, then you win.”
He thanked Nigerians for their continued support and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to deepening democratic participation and providing a credible political alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
