Court Did Not Deregister NDC, Says Seriake Dickson

Senator Seriake Dickson, National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has said the party remains validly registered despite the recent Federal High Court ruling involving its recognition.

Dickson made the clarification on Sunday while speaking during an interview on Channels Television, insisting that the party would challenge the judgment through the appellate courts.

According to him, the NDC strongly disagrees with the ruling and believes the court acted outside its powers by revisiting an earlier decision.

“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,” Dickson said.

The former governor maintained that the party had not been deregistered and remained eligible to contest 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 stated.

Dickson noted that the party conducted primaries for state assembly, National Assembly, governorship and presidential elections within the timetable issued by INEC.

“I am also one of the party’s senatorial candidates. All nominations were validly conducted and monitored by INEC in line with the commission’s timetable,” he added.

He further explained that uploading candidates’ names to INEC was an administrative procedure that would not affect the legitimacy of candidates already nominated by the party.

“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 said.

Dickson disclosed that the NDC was prepared to pursue the matter up to the Supreme Court if necessary.

“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.

The senator also argued that courts are not permitted to sit on appeal over their own final decisions under the doctrine of finality.

Reacting to the public response to the controversy, Dickson claimed the legal dispute had increased awareness and support for the NDC.

“Since Friday, thousands of Nigerians have visited our website to register. More people now know about our party, sympathise with our position and are embracing our vision and candidates,” he stated.

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