Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has described a Federal High Court order reversing the party’s registration as “illegal” and vowed to challenge it through legal channels.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Dickson said he – along with several party officials, candidates and members of the public – was “jolted” by the order issued by Justice Isah Dashen in Lokoja.
“All I can say is that the order lacks legal merit and is intended to affect the foundational credibility and efforts of our party,” Dickson wrote.
“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.”
The NDC leader said the party had assembled a team of lawyers and was taking “appropriate steps to set the order aside”. He called on members, supporters and candidates to remain calm and continue with normal political activities, describing the development as “the first test of our commitment and resilience”.
Dickson expressed particular surprise at the source of the application that led to the court order. He pointed out that it came from “an unregistered association, which is not a registered political party and has no exclusive right to any logo under the law”.
According to Dickson, the association “was not a necessary party to the suit because it had no interest in the subject matter” and was not among the 171 associations that applied for registration in 2025, nor among the 21 shortlisted.
“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,” he said.
Despite the setback, Dickson insisted the party would not be slowed down. He quoted a favourite maxim: “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, then you win.”
He added that thousands of Nigerians had registered as NDC members on the same day in a show of solidarity.
“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,” Dickson concluded, thanking Nigerians for their confidence and support.
