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ABUJA, NIGERIA — The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has welcomed the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, which set aside the decision of the Federal High Court in Lokoja concerning the registration of the party.
Dickson, in a statement reacting to the appellate court judgment, said the decision had affirmed the NDC’s continued existence as a registered political party and restored what he described as the party’s constitutional right to participate fully in Nigeria’s multiparty democratic process.
According to the former Bayelsa State governor, the Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered by the presiding Justice, Mohammed Danjuma, and read by Justice Hassan, allowed the NDC’s appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court, Lokoja, presided over by Justice Isah Dashen.
Dickson said the appellate court consequently set aside the Lokoja judgment, which he described as having purportedly ordered the deregistration of the NDC.
The NDC leader used the occasion to commend the Nigerian judiciary, particularly Justices Danjuma and Hassan, for what he described as their role in upholding the integrity of the judiciary and expanding the space for multiparty democratic participation.
He said the NDC had consistently maintained that its establishment was intended to broaden the frontier of multiparty democracy in Nigeria.
According to him, the earlier Lokoja judgment had constituted an unexpected challenge to the party’s constitutional right to participate in the political process.
“Justice Dashen’s judgment a few months ago was an unexpected assault on our constitutional right to participate and an attempt to narrow the democratic space,” Dickson said.
He expressed satisfaction that the Court of Appeal had now overturned the decision, arguing that the latest judgment had protected the democratic space and affirmed the NDC’s right to participate in political activities as a registered political party.
Dickson congratulated members and candidates of the NDC over the development and expressed appreciation to Nigerians who, according to him, offered prayers and support to the party during the period of uncertainty following the Federal High Court judgment.
He recalled that the earlier ruling had generated widespread concern among party members and supporters, with the NDC leadership receiving calls for sympathy, support and prayers.
“Today, our collective prayers have been answered,” he said.
‘NDC Continues To Exist’
Dickson declared that the NDC’s registration remained valid and subsisting, saying the party and its candidates would participate in elections in 2027 and beyond.
“The NDC continues to exist. Our registration remains valid and subsisting, and we and all our candidates will participate in all elections in 2027 and beyond, by the grace of God,” he stated.
The declaration is expected to provide reassurance to members and candidates of the party following the legal uncertainty generated by the earlier Federal High Court decision.
Dickson subsequently urged party members to shift their attention from the litigation to preparations for the forthcoming elections.
“Everyone should now focus on the campaigns, prepare for the elections, and focus on the task ahead,” he said.
DICKSON WARNS AGAINST PRESSURE ON JUDICIARY
The NDC National Leader also used the occasion to warn against attempts to influence the judiciary through what he described as arm-twisting, inducement or intimidation.
“A resort to arm-twisting, inducing or intimidating the judiciary will not work,” Dickson declared.
He said the NDC remained confident in its political message, membership, candidates and what he described as the support of Nigerians.
According to him, the party would approach the forthcoming elections with confidence while continuing its campaign for greater multiparty participation.
“We remain confident in the strength of our message, the commitment of our members, the viability of our candidates, and the support of Nigerians,” he said.
Dickson added that the party looked forward to the elections and expressed confidence that the NDC would perform strongly at the polls.
‘FIGHT FOR MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY CONTINUES’
The NDC leader framed the legal battle as part of a wider struggle over the future of multiparty democracy in Nigeria.
He said the party would continue to advocate for what it considers a broader democratic space and pledged that its members would remain committed to that objective.
“The fight for Nigeria’s multiparty democracy continues and by the grace of God we will emerge victorious,” Dickson said.
The statement ended with the party’s rallying slogan: “NDC ALL THE WAY.”
The Court of Appeal judgment, as described in Dickson’s statement, therefore marks a fresh stage in the NDC’s legal and political journey as the party turns its attention towards preparations for the 2027 electoral cycle.
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