Senator Henry Seriake Dickson has said via a statement, the ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja and presided over by Honourable Justice Isah Dashen which nullifies the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is “illegal and will not stand”.
Dickson, Founder and National Leader of the NDC, said on Friday, the “order lacks merit”, adding, it is “against multi-party democracy”.
Via X, he said, the order will be “resisted” by Nigerians who are lovers of democracy; and revealed, the Party has amassed its team of lawyers to “set the order aside and restore normalcy”.
In the Statement, Senator Dickson said: “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.
“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.
“We have assembled our team of lawyers, and they are taking appropriate steps to set the order aside and restore normalcy.”
The former Governor of Bayelsa State called on members, supporters and NDC candidates “to remain calm and continue with their normal political activities”, describing the order as the Party’s “first test” of its “commitment and resilience”.
He expressed certainty that, “even this shall pass, and the NDC and all our candidates shall cruise to victory”.
The Statement continues: “We are not naive to expect that the tremendous progress we have achieved in the last five months would go without attack, but this particular development came from a very unlikely source. The application by an unregistered association, which is not a registered political party and has no exclusive right to any logo under the law, is shocking.
“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.
“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.
“We are under attack, as I have repeatedly said we should prepare for challenges such as this. But thereafter, we shall 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 to show their solidarity, sympathy and support for our party. All things work together for good.
“Men may act with evil intentions, but if it is not the will of God, He turns it around for our good.”
Photo: Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, Founder and National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)
