The national leader of the New Democratic Congress (NDC), Henry Seriake Dickson, has dismissed allegations questioning the party’s registration, describing them as “misguided and sponsored propaganda” linked to his long-time associate, Umar Ardo.
In a statement on Monday night, Dickson said he was taken aback by Ardo’s repeated public criticism of the NDC, particularly given their years of political collaboration.
He insisted that the party’s registration process followed due legal procedure and is no longer subject to challenge.
According to Dickson, the NDC’s application to become a political party began in 2017 but stalled when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) placed a moratorium on party registration under its chairman, Mahmood Yakubu.
He said the process resumed after the embargo was lifted, with the NDC listed among 171 political associations awaiting further steps.
Dickson said the commission later declined the application, citing similarities between the NDC’s proposed two-finger logo and the broom symbol of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
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He described the decision as “shocking,” adding that INEC rejected the party’s offer to modify the logo.
The matter was subsequently taken to court, where the NDC challenged what it termed an unlawful exclusion.
Dickson said the court upheld the party’s right to freedom of association, ordered its registration, and directed INEC to comply.
He confirmed that INEC implemented the ruling, issued a certificate of registration, and did not appeal the judgment within the statutory timeframe.
“There is no appeal pending, and no individual or group has the legal standing to challenge a judgment that has been fully obeyed,” Dickson said.
He stressed that INEC officials had since observed the party’s inaugural National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and noted timelines for congresses and primaries.
Addressing Ardo’s position, Dickson said his colleague was aware of the NDC’s legal journey and had been advised to pursue a similar court route after INEC declined to register the Advanced Democratic Alliance (ADA).
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He stated that disputes among ADA promoters were unrelated to the NDC and could not justify criticism of another party.
Dickson also pointed out that the New Democratic Party (NDP) was registered following a separate court order, without attracting comparable scrutiny.
He described the selective criticism of the NDC as “curious,” but said that the party was gaining traction nationwide and among Nigerians in the diaspora, with growing membership and engagement from politicians across party lines.
The movement, he added, was founded on ideology and aimed at offering a “clean and unencumbered” platform amid what he called a shrinking opposition space.
While declining to speculate on Ardo’s motives, Dickson warned that the spread of false information undermined efforts to strengthen multiparty democracy.
He reaffirmed his commitment to transparent politics and said the NDC remained open to Nigerians seeking political change.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, Dickson said resistance was a familiar phase for new political ideas, insisting the party was “here to stay.”
NDC's national leader clarified that the party's registration details and membership portal are publicly available on its official website.