The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has insisted that the party remains a legally recognised political platform despite a recent Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Speaking on Sunday during an interview on Channels Television, Dickson said the party disagreed with the legal basis of the judgment and had commenced steps to challenge it at the appellate court.
According to him, the ruling was delivered by a court that lacked the authority to revisit its earlier decision.
“We disagree as a party with the legal basis and propriety of the ruling. The party is taking the appropriate legal steps to ensure that the right thing is done,” he said.
Dickson maintained that the NDC had not been deregistered and remained eligible to participate in the electoral process.
“The NDC has not been deregistered. The party validly conducted primaries for all elective offices, and those exercises were monitored nationwide by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” he stated.
He explained that the party successfully held primaries for state assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship and presidential elections within the timetable issued by INEC.
“I am also one of the party’s senatorial candidates. All nominations were validly conducted and monitored by INEC in line with the commission’s timetable,” he added.
The former Bayelsa State governor said the submission of candidates’ names to INEC is an administrative procedure that does not affect the validity of candidates duly nominated by the party.
“I want to assure all our candidates and members that their nominations remain valid. The court itself did not deregister the party, and no such step has been taken,” he said.
Dickson disclosed that the NDC would challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal and, if necessary, proceed to the Supreme Court.
“As soon as the appeal is filed, we will pursue the matter to the highest court to set aside what we consider an irregular judgment,” he said.
He argued that the doctrine of finality prevents a court from sitting on appeal over its own earlier judgment.
According to him, the controversy has generated increased public interest in the party.
“Since Friday, thousands of Nigerians have visited our website to register. More people now know about our party, sympathise with our position and are embracing our vision and candidates,” Dickson said.
