The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has appealed to the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, his running mate, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, and other aspirants not to abandon the party following the recent Federal High Court judgment in Lokoja that set aside the court order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC.
Dickson made the appeal on Sunday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today while reacting to reports that some candidates were considering leaving the party over the ruling.
The call followed Friday’s judgment by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which set aside the court’s December 10, 2025 judgment directing INEC to register the NDC as a political party.
The judge held that the earlier judgment affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed ownership of the logo used in obtaining the registration order but was not joined in the suit .
Reacting to concerns that some candidates had become unsettled by the judgment, Dickson dismissed the speculation and assured members that the party remained on course.
“That is what this kind of kangaroo situation is intended to achieve. But I’m here to assure all members. That’s not the report we have. Our candidates are steadfast and they have already emerged as candidates of our party,” he said .
He further stated: “They know the steps that the party is taking. And in no distant time, they will be uploaded (on INEC portal). They will go into the polls and be on the ballot. So, there is nothing to fear. There’s no fear” .
Dickson dismissed the judicial setback as a distraction, saying, “Let me say, this kind of move is intended to be a distraction. It’s intended to shake our faith. But for some of us who are used to this kind of thing, in fact, we even expect more. Because if you have to be in this kitchen for some time, you must have a way to manage the heat” .
On whether the party planned to report Justice Dashen to the National Judicial Council, Dickson said the NDC would instead pursue legal remedies through the appellate courts . “No, that’s not our focus. The judge has erred. We are not happy about it. But we have confidence in the Nigerian judicial system,” he said, describing the ruling as “a terrible hangman job” .
The NDC, which is due to file an appeal against the Lokoja judgment on Monday, insists the ruling neither deregistered the party nor stopped it from participating in the 2027 general election.
The party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, has maintained that no order has been made directing the party’s deregistration, and that all nominations made remain valid pending the determination of the appeal .
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