The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has reaffirmed that the party will participate fully in the 2027 general elections, despite a recent Federal High Court judgment in Lokoja that has generated uncertainty over its legal status.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Dickson dismissed claims that the court ruling nullified the party’s registration, insisting that the NDC remains a legally recognised political party.
He said the court did not issue any order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the party and stressed that no such action had been taken by the electoral body.
“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 party members and supporters that its candidates would contest the 2027 elections.
The former Bayelsa State governor argued that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to revisit its earlier judgment, describing the ruling as legally flawed. He disclosed that the party had filed applications for a stay of execution and an injunction to prevent any action by INEC pending the determination of its appeal.
Dickson also questioned the legal standing of the group that instituted the suit, describing it as an unregistered association without the capacity to challenge the party’s registration.
According to him, the NDC has successfully concluded its primary elections for all elective offices, including the presidency, governorships, National Assembly and state assemblies, with the exercises monitored by INEC in line with the commission’s timetable.
He added that the controversy surrounding the court ruling had boosted public interest in the party, claiming that thousands of Nigerians had visited its website to register since the judgment was delivered.
On the proposed creation of state police, Dickson expressed support for decentralising policing but recommended a phased approach. He suggested that the country should begin with zonal policing before transitioning to full state police.
He also proposed that state governors should have a role in appointing commissioners of police, subject to oversight by state legislatures, but cautioned against implementing the reform close to a general election, warning that the timing could raise concerns about neutrality.
