National leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has insisted that the party will participate fully in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, despite a recent Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja that has raised questions about its legal status.
Speaking on Channels Television, Dickson dismissed suggestions that the judgment nullified the party’s registration, maintaining that the NDC remains a legally recognised political party.
According to him, the court did not issue any order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the party, adding that no such action has been taken.
“NDC is on the ballot. All our candidates will be on the ballot. NDC has not been deregistered and won’t be deregistered,” Dickson said, assuring members and supporters that the party’s candidates would contest the 2027 elections.
The former Bayelsa State governor argued that the court lacked the jurisdiction to revisit its earlier judgment and described the ruling as legally defective. He disclosed that the party had filed applications for a stay of execution and an injunction to prevent any adverse action by INEC while pursuing an appeal.
Dickson also questioned the legal standing of the group that instituted the suit, describing it as an unregistered association that could not validly challenge the party’s registration.
He further stated that the NDC had successfully concluded its primary elections for all elective positions, including the presidency, governorship, National Assembly and state assemblies, with the exercises monitored by INEC within the commission’s timetable.
The senator added that the controversy surrounding the judgment had increased public interest in the party, claiming that thousands of Nigerians had visited its website to register since the ruling.
On the proposed creation of state police, Dickson expressed support for decentralising policing but advocated a phased implementation. He suggested beginning with zonal policing before moving to full state police, while giving governors a role in appointing state commissioners of police, subject to oversight by state legislatures.
He, however, cautioned against implementing the reform close to a general election, saying the timing could create concerns about its neutrality.
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