MThe Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has vowed to challenge the Federal High Court judgment that nullified its registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying it has already assembled a legal team to contest the ruling.
The party’s National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Henry Dickson, made this known in a statement shared on his X handle on Friday while reacting to the decision delivered by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Dickson maintained that the judgment had no legal basis, describing it as an attempt to weaken the party and undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.
The statement reads in parts, “This morning, I, like several other leaders, officials, candidates of the NDC, and members of the public, was jolted by the order issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja and presided over by Honourable Justice Isah Dashen.
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.
“We have assembled our team of lawyers, and they are taking appropriate steps to set the order aside and restore normalcy.
“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.”
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The former governor further argued that the court’s decision was contrary to democratic principles and said the party would challenge it through lawful means.
According to Dickson, the suit that led to the judgment was initiated by an unregistered association, which he said was neither a registered political party nor a necessary party in the matter.
He also contended that the association did not seek registration with INEC in 2025 and was not among the 171 groups that applied for registration or the 21 associations shortlisted by the electoral commission.
Dickson reiterated that the NDC would exhaust all legal options to reverse 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 said.
He further alleged that the legal action was designed to hinder the party’s growth but expressed confidence that it would not succeed.
Dickson also claimed that the court ruling had triggered a wave of support, with thousands of Nigerians registering as members of the NDC on Friday.
The NDC was registered by INEC in December 2025. However, Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja later set aside the party’s registration, sparking the ongoing legal battle.