Former Bayelsa State Governor and leader of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has condemned a recent order of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, describing it as legally defective, anti-democratic and a calculated attempt to undermine Nigeria’s multi-party democratic system.
Reacting to the court order in a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Friday night, Dickson said he and other leaders, officials, candidates and supporters of the NDC were “jolted” by the ruling delivered by Justice Isah Dashen.
According to the former governor, the order lacks legal merit and would not withstand judicial scrutiny.
“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. It is against multi-party democracy, anti-democratic in nature, and aimed at narrowing and stifling the democratic space,” Dickson stated.
He assured members of the party that a team of lawyers had already been mobilised to challenge the ruling through the appropriate legal channels.
“We have assembled our team of lawyers, and they are taking appropriate steps to set the order aside and restore normalcy,” he said.
The senator urged party members, supporters and candidates across the country to remain calm and continue their political activities, insisting that the legal setback would not derail the party’s aspirations.
“I call on all members, supporters, and candidates of the NDC to remain calm and continue with their normal political activities. This is only the first test of our commitment and resilience, both of which are not in doubt,” he added.
Dickson alleged that the application leading to the court order was filed by an unregistered association which, according to him, had no legal standing in the matter.
He argued that the association was neither a registered political party nor among the groups that applied for registration during the relevant period.
“The application by an unregistered association, which is not a registered political party and has no exclusive right to any logo under the law, is shocking,” Dickson said.
He further claimed that the association “was not a necessary party to the suit because it had no interest in the subject matter,” adding that it neither applied for registration in 2025 nor featured among the 171 associations that sought registration or the 21 shortlisted by the electoral authorities.
The former governor alleged that the legal challenge was politically motivated and aimed at slowing the momentum the NDC had built in recent months.
“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,” he said.
Dickson maintained that the party would pursue every lawful means to overturn what he described as “a judicial anomaly.”
“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 declared.
Expressing confidence in the party’s future, Dickson urged supporters not to lose faith, saying the latest development had instead attracted greater public sympathy and support.
He disclosed that thousands of Nigerians reportedly registered as members of the NDC on Friday in solidarity with the party.
Quoting one of his favourite sayings, Dickson said: “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, then you win.”
“We are under attack, but thereafter, we shall win,” he added.
The senator thanked Nigerians for their continued confidence in the NDC, saying the support had strengthened the party’s resolve to continue what he described as the struggle to deepen multi-party democracy in Nigeria.
