Founder of the NDC and former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, described the court ruling as illegal and politically motivated attempt to undermine party’s growing popularity.
He insisted that the party would challenge the ruling and ultimately prevail. He said the order lacked legal merit and was designed to weaken the party’s credibility and stifle Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
“The order is illegal and will not stand. It is against multi-party democracy, anti-democratic in nature, and aimed at narrowing and shrinking the democratic space. We have assembled our team of lawyers, and they are taking the necessary steps to set the order aside and restore normalcy.
:I urge all our members, supporters and candidates to remain calm and continue their normal political activities. This is only the first test of our commitment and resilience, and even this shall pass,” he said.
Dickson alleged that the legal action was orchestrated by interests unsettled by the NDC’s rapid rise within five months of its formation. According to him, the applicant was neither a registered political party nor one of the associations that sought registration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arguing that it had no legal interest in the matter. “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 through hard work and commitment to deepening multi-party democracy.”
He maintained that the party would pursue every lawful avenue to overturn what he described as a judicial anomaly, expressing confidence that the NDC would emerge stronger. “We are under attack, as I have repeatedly warned we should expect challenges such as this. But thereafter, we shall win. Thousands of Nigerians have continued to join the NDC in solidarity, and I sincerely thank Nigerians for the confidence they repose in our vision. Their support only strengthens our resolve to continue the struggle for a vibrant multi-party democracy in Nigeria,” he said.
