ABUJA — The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has disclosed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) granted it approval to proceed with registration as far back as March 9, 2017, contrary to insinuations that the party is a recent or illegal creation.
In a statement addressing what the party called “distractions, rumours, and propaganda,” NDC leader Henry Seriake Dickson released an official INEC letter dated March 9, 2017, with reference number INEC/DEPM/NDC/418/1, addressed to the party’s Protem Chairman at 20 Monrovia Street, Wuse II, Abuja.
The letter, signed by Mrs Augusta C. Ogakwu, Secretary to the Commission, stated: “The Commission has considered your application and found that the proposed name complies with the requirements for registration as a Political Party under Section 222 of the Constitution of FRN 1999 (as amended). You may wish to proceed with other requirements…”
Dickson explained that the process was halted at the time and was revisited and updated when party registration resumed last year.
The clarification comes against the backdrop of a vow by political figure Umar Ardo to challenge the registration and recognition of the NDC in court, a threat the party has dismissed as an “empty threat.”
Dickson thanked Nigerians for their growing support and confidence, describing the party as a convergence of multiple political leaders and grassroots heavyweights.
“Our goal in the NDC is to build an ideological political party,” he said, “one that can be compared to the ANC in its finest years in South Africa, as well as established parties across Europe, America, India and even the Communist Party of China — in terms of stability, structure, and the ability to endure beyond its founders for generations.”
The NDC, according to Dickson, reserves special space for young people and women, prioritises mentorship, and is designed to serve ordinary and vulnerable citizens, not just the powerful.
He also released evidence of a Google search conducted on February 3, 2017, for the party’s “V-sign” logo, further establishing the party’s long-standing registration efforts.
“I am fully aware that an ambitious project of this nature will attract distractions — rumours, gossip, propaganda, and even blackmail,” Dickson said. “These are all parts of the terrain that we are used to.”
He urged Nigerians to ignore propaganda about the NDC or its leaders and called on citizens to join, register, participate, and contest elections under the party’s platform.
“Together, let us reclaim and rebuild our country.”
