National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has maintained that the party remains a legally recognised political platform despite a recent Federal High Court judgment in Lokoja, Kogi State. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, the former Bayelsa State governor said the party rejected the legal basis of the decision and had already begun the process of challenging the NDC court ruling at the Court of Appeal.
Dickson argued that the court lacked the authority to revisit its earlier decision and expressed confidence that the judgment would be overturned. “We disagree as a party with the legal basis and propriety of the ruling. The party is taking the appropriate legal steps to ensure that the right thing is done,” he said.
He stressed that the NDC court ruling did not amount to the deregistration of the party and therefore does not prevent it from participating in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Dickson stated that the NDC successfully conducted primaries for all elective offices in accordance with the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). According to him, the commission monitored the party’s primaries for state Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship and presidential elections.
“The NDC has not been deregistered. The party validly conducted primaries for all elective offices, and those exercises were monitored nationwide by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” he said. The Bayelsa West senator added that he is also one of the party’s senatorial candidates and maintained that all nominations complied with INEC’s requirements.
Dickson said the party would challenge the NDC court ruling before the Court of Appeal and, if necessary, continue the legal process at the Supreme Court. “As soon as the appeal is filed, we will pursue the matter to the highest court to set aside what we consider an irregular judgment,” he said.
He argued that under the doctrine of finality, a court should not sit on appeal over its own previous judgment. The senator also explained that submitting candidates’ names to INEC is an administrative process that does not invalidate candidates who have already emerged through properly conducted party primaries.
“I want to assure all our candidates and members that their nominations remain valid. The court itself did not deregister the party, and no such step has been taken,” he added.
Dickson said the legal dispute has generated increased public attention for the party rather than weakening its position. According to him, thousands of Nigerians have visited the NDC’s website since the court’s decision to register as members and learn more about the party. He said the growing interest reflects increasing public support for the party’s vision as it prepares for future elections.
