A former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, has dismissed criticisms by a chieftain of the All Democratic Alliance, Umar Ardo, over the registration of the National Democratic Congress, describing them as “misguided and sponsored propaganda.”
Ardo had, in a recent interview with Trust TV, claimed that the NDC’s registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission did not follow due process.
Ardo claimed that NDC’s registration timeline was inconsistent, and the process appeared irregular compared to other political groups that applied for registration.
Reacting in a statement issued by his official X handle on Monday, Dickson, who is the national leader of the NDC, expressed surprise at Ardo’s position, noting their long-standing relationship.
“Dr. Ardo’s consistent propaganda against the NDC, especially knowing my involvement as founder and national leader, is shocking and speaks to a lack of respect and loyalty to friendship,” he said.
He explained that the process to register the party began in 2017 but was stalled due to a suspension of party registrations by INEC.
“The application commenced in 2017, when Dr. Ardo wasn’t even dreaming of registering a political party. The process stalled because INEC, under Dr. Mahmood Yakubu, halted the registration of political parties,” Dickson stated.
According to him, the process resumed after INEC lifted the embargo, but the commission initially rejected the party’s application over its proposed logo.
“We were told our logo, the two-finger sign, was similar to that of the APC broom. This was shocking to us,” he said.
Dickson added that despite efforts to resolve the issue, including offering to change the logo, INEC declined, prompting legal action.
“We went to court over this unlawful exclusion, and the court enforced our rights to freedom of association, deemed us registered and directed INEC to register us,” he said.
He noted that INEC complied with the court order and issued the party a certificate of registration.
“INEC did not and has not appealed this judgment, and the period of appeal has elapsed. No one, except INEC, has the locus standi to appeal,” he said.
The former governor said the party has since commenced its activities, including notifying INEC of its National Executive Committee meeting.
“Upon receiving the certificate, we gave the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC, and they came about two weeks ago to observe our first NEC, which confirmed our officers and also took dates for our congresses and primaries, to be announced by the party soonest,” he said.
Dickson also revealed that he had earlier advised Ardo to seek legal redress over challenges with his own political group.
“I explained how I faced a similar delay but approached the court and advised him to do the same, which he followed,” he said.
He, however, distanced the NDC from internal disputes affecting Ardo’s political platform.
“The NDC has nothing to do with his challenges and cannot bear responsibility for his disappointment and frustration,” he added.
Dickson pointed out that the NDC was not the only party registered through a court order, citing similar cases.
“The NDC is therefore not the only party that was registered as a result of a court order,” he said, questioning why critics had remained silent on others.
He expressed satisfaction with the party’s progress, noting growing support across the country and in the diaspora.
“Nigerians from all over the country and in the diaspora are registering massively, and the party is gaining momentum,” he said.
Dickson also stressed that the NDC remains open to Nigerians seeking an alternative political platform.
“Our party is available for all Nigerians who are desirous of change… and for politicians who need a platform that is clean and unencumbered,” he said.
He warned against the spread of misinformation about the party and maintained that there is no legal challenge against the party’s registration.
“The spread of falsehoods and sponsored misinformation is unacceptable.
“There is no existing legal challenge against the NDC. No individual or group has the legal standing to contest its registration after a court judgment has been duly implemented,” he said.
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