The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has called on Nigerians to ignore what he described as misleading narratives surrounding the party’s registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that due process was followed.
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State and current senator representing Bayelsa West, defended the legitimacy of the party, stating that the NDC’s registration process dates back to 2017. According to him, the party had initially secured approval before the process was suspended, and later resumed and updated its application when political party registrations reopened.
In a statement shared via X, he emphasized that the NDC was conceived as a long-term ideological platform aimed at fostering national development and political continuity beyond its founding members.
His comments come amid growing controversy over the party’s emergence, particularly following threats of legal action by Umar Ardo, a leading promoter of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA). Ardo has alleged procedural irregularities in the registration process and vowed to challenge the decision in court.
The dispute intensified as the NDC announced a surge in membership, claiming to have registered over 10 million members within 48 hours. The spike followed the high-profile defection of prominent political figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who recently joined the party after leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
While Dickson maintained that documentation exists to validate the party’s compliance with legal requirements, Ardo challenged this assertion, alleging that the NDC bypassed key stages of INEC’s registration process. He claimed the party neither completed formal application procedures nor submitted essential documents such as its constitution, manifesto, and executive list before securing registration through a court order.
Ardo further criticized what he described as inconsistencies in INEC’s handling of applications, noting that his own group, despite meeting stipulated conditions, was denied registration. He disclosed plans to pursue legal redress, arguing that the situation raises broader concerns about transparency and fairness in Nigeria’s electoral system.
In response, the NDC, through its National Secretary, dismissed the allegations as “misleading and mischievous,” reiterating that its registration followed lawful procedures.
Amid the controversy, the party moved to consolidate its structure nationwide by conducting state congresses across the country, where new executive committees were elected. Party officials described the developments as part of a growing national momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, the evolving political landscape has also drawn reactions from other stakeholders. Allies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and officials of the ADC have denied reports of ongoing alliance or defection talks with the NDC, dismissing such claims as unfounded.
As tensions rise, the unfolding legal and political contest over the NDC’s registration is expected to shape opposition dynamics in the lead-up to the next general elections, with both supporters and critics closely watching the outcome.
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