The Founder and National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has condemned the recent Federal High Court order affecting the party, describing it as an illegal attempt to undermine Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
Reacting in a post on X on Saturday, Dickson said he and other NDC leaders, candidates and supporters were jolted by the order issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja and presided over by Justice Isah Dashen.
He argued that the ruling lacked legal merit and was designed to damage the party’s credibility and frustrate its rapid political growth.
“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,” Dickson said.
The former Bayelsa State governor disclosed that the party had assembled a team of lawyers to challenge the decision, expressing confidence that the court order would be set aside.
He urged NDC members, supporters and candidates across the country to remain calm and continue their political activities, insisting that the ruling was only the first test of the party’s resilience.
“We are under attack,” Dickson declared, adding that the party had anticipated attempts to frustrate its progress following what he described as remarkable achievements recorded within the last five months.
Dickson also faulted the application that led to the court order, arguing that it was brought by an unregistered association with no legal interest in the matter. According to him, the association neither applied for registration in 2025 nor featured among the 171 associations that sought registration or the 21 associations shortlisted for registration.
He alleged that the legal action was orchestrated by individuals unsettled by the NDC’s growing popularity, stressing that the party would not allow the development to slow its momentum or weaken its resolve.
Quoting his favourite saying on struggles, Dickson said, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, then you win,” expressing confidence that the party would eventually emerge victorious.
He further claimed that despite the court order, thousands of Nigerians registered as NDC members on Saturday in solidarity with the party.
Dickson thanked Nigerians for their continued support and confidence in the NDC, saying their encouragement had strengthened the party’s resolve to continue the struggle to deepen multi-party democracy in Nigeria.
