By John Azu
The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has assured Nigerians that the party remains a legally recognised political platform and will participate in the 2027 general election despite a recent court ruling.
Dickson gave the assurance during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, anchored by Seun Akinbaloye, where he dismissed reports suggesting that the party had been deregistered.
His comments followed Friday’s ruling by a Federal High Court in Lokoja, which nullified its earlier judgment of December 10, 2025, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party. The latest decision came after the Peace Movement Party (PMP) successfully argued that it was not heard in the original case, particularly over the use of its victory sign symbol.
Reacting to the development, Dickson described the court ruling as a distraction that would not affect the party’s preparations for the 2027 general election.
“The NDC has not been deregistered, the NDC has validly nominated candidates for all elective offices in primaries monitored nationwide by INEC, from House of Assembly to House of Reps to Senate, to governorship, and to a presidential candidate who has also nominated a running mate, I myself, I am also a senatorial candidate of the party,” he said.
The former Bayelsa State governor said the party would immediately challenge the judgment at the appellate court, arguing that the trial court lacked the authority to revisit its earlier decision.
“As have been said by the party, as soon as possible, once the appeal has been lodged, necessary papers filed, this is a matter that would go through the highest levels to set aside the irregular judgement (order); irregular because by our hierarchy of courts and by judicial precedence, and the doctrine that we know, the doctrine of finality, it is that once a court has given its judgement on a matter, the court is functus officio and shouldn’t have any business. So, anyone who is complaining, someone said he is an interested party, should file a suit or you ask for leave and go on appeal.”
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Dickson expressed confidence that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would be defeated, urging that opposition parties be allowed to operate in a free and competitive political environment.
He also disclosed that the NDC was open to working with other opposition parties ahead of the elections, provided such discussions would produce the party’s presidential candidate.
On the proposed state police bill before the Senate, Dickson reiterated his support for security decentralisation but advocated a phased approach beginning with the country’s six geopolitical zones. He, however, cautioned against implementing the reform hastily under the current administration.