The National Leader of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has described a Federal High Court ruling setting aside an earlier order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party as lacking legal merit, insisting the decision is aimed at frustrating the party’s growing influence.

The Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, had vacated its December 10, 2025 judgment which compelled INEC to register the NDC as a political party.

In the ruling delivered in suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025, Justice Isah Dashen held that the earlier judgment was delivered without hearing all necessary parties, making the proceedings constitutionally defective.

The court’s decision followed an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which argued that it had a legal interest in the matter and should have been joined in the suit before judgment was delivered.

Justice Dashen further held that material facts were not disclosed during the initial proceedings and ordered that the substantive suit be heard afresh, with INEC, the PMP and the NDC joined as parties.

Reacting to the judgment, Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State and national leader of the NDC, rejected the ruling, describing it as unlawful and politically motivated.

“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,” he said.

Dickson argued that the ruling was “against multi-party democracy, anti-democratic in nature, and aimed at narrowing and stifling the democratic space.”

He said the party had assembled a team of lawyers to challenge the decision and urged members and supporters to remain calm while the legal process runs its course.

The NDC2027: Setback for Obi/Kwankwaso ticket as court reverses initial order on NDC registration leader also questioned the legal standing of the applicant, alleging that the application leading to the judgment was filed by “an unregistered association” with no legitimate interest in the case.

“We are not naive to expect that the tremendous progress we have achieved in the last five months would go without attack,” he said.

“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.

“We will not allow this to slow us down or break our spirit. The struggle must continue.”
Dickson further accused Justice Dashen of committing a legal error, saying the party would pursue all available judicial remedies to overturn the decision.

“We will use appropriate judicial channels to correct the judicial anomaly that occurred under the watch of Honourable Justice Dashen. He has clearly erred in law, and we will take steps to correct it,” he said.

He also claimed that the court ruling had generated increased public support for the NDC, with thousands of Nigerians allegedly registering as members in solidarity with the party.

“I sincerely thank Nigerians for the confidence they continue to repose in the NDC. Your support, encouragement, and belief in our vision only strengthen our resolve to continue the struggle to deepen multi-party democracy in Nigeria,” Dickson added.