ABUJA, NIGERIA – National Leader and Founder of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has rejected a Federal High Court ruling that set aside an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party, describing the decision as unlawful and a threat to Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Dickson criticised the order delivered by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja on Friday, saying it lacked legal merit and was intended to undermine the party’s credibility and progress.
The ruling vacated the court’s earlier judgment of December 10, 2025, after an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), an unregistered political association which argued that its interests had been affected by the registration of the NDC, particularly over the party’s logo.
Justice Dashen held that the earlier judgment was delivered without joining all necessary parties whose interests were directly affected by the case. The court consequently ordered a fresh hearing of the substantive suit involving INEC, the NDC and the PMP, and directed that actions taken pursuant to the previous judgment be withdrawn pending the determination of the case.
Reacting to the decision, Dickson argued that the PMP lacked the legal standing to challenge the registration process, noting that it is not a registered political party, did not apply for registration in 2025 and was not among the associations shortlisted by INEC.
“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,” Dickson said.
The former Bayelsa State governor disclosed that the party had assembled a legal team to challenge the ruling through the appellate courts and seek to have it overturned.
He urged party members, supporters and candidates to remain calm and continue with their political activities despite the court decision.
“This is only the first test of our commitment and resilience. Even this shall pass, and the NDC and all our candidates shall cruise to victory,” he said.
Dickson attributed the legal challenge to what he described as growing concern among political interests over the NDC’s rapid rise within five months of its emergence. He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s democratic space and encouraging greater political participation.
Quoting the phrase, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, then you win,” he said the ruling had instead triggered increased public support, with more Nigerians registering to join the party in solidarity.
The NDC was registered by INEC following the Federal High Court’s December 2025 order after the electoral commission had initially declined its application, citing concerns over the similarity of the party’s logo to that of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The latest judgment has created uncertainty over the party’s registration status pending the fresh hearing ordered by the court.
As of Saturday, the NDC said it remained focused on pursuing legal remedies while continuing its political activities. There was no immediate response from INEC or the Federal High Court regarding Dickson’s remarks.
