Sariki Dickson, founder and National Leader of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), fired back at what he described as “misguided and sponsored propaganda” against his party by Dr. Umar Ardo, a man he once called a friend and political ally.
In a detailed statement released to the public on Monday, Dickson expressed shock and disappointment over Dr. Ardo’s consistent criticism of the NDC, especially given their long-standing personal relationship and Ardo’s knowledge of the party’s lawful registration process.
Dickson began by addressing the personal nature of the attacks, noting that Dr. Ardo’s behavior was particularly troubling because of their history.
“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,” Dickson said.
He emphasized that the truth about the NDC’s registration was already in the public domain and that Ardo, as a close associate, had been aware of every step of the process.
Dickson provided a detailed chronology of the NDC’s registration, clarifying that the party’s application process began long before Dr. Ardo ever contemplated forming his own political party. In 2017, the NDC’s application commenced. However, the process stalled because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), under Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, placed a blanket halt on the registration of new political parties. Last year, when INEC lifted the embargo, the NDC revived its application and was listed among 171 political associations awaiting registration.
The NDC was shocked to receive a letter from INEC declining its application on the grounds that its proposed logo, a two-finger sign, was allegedly similar to the APC’s broom logo. Dickson noted that INEC even refused the party’s offer to change the logo. Consequently, the NDC took INEC to court over what it called “unlawful exclusion.”
The court enforced the party’s right to freedom of association, deemed the NDC registered, and directed INEC to register it. INEC obeyed the court order without any appeal. The commission subsequently announced the NDC as one of Nigeria’s registered political parties and issued a Certificate of Registration.
“The period of appeal has elapsed,” Dickson stressed. “No one, except INEC, has the locus standi to appeal the judgement. The judgement has been enforced by INEC and there’s nothing to appeal anymore.”
Dickson further revealed that the NDC had already fulfilled post-registration requirements. The party gave the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC, and about two weeks ago, INEC officials came to observe the NDC’s first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which confirmed the party’s officers. Dates for congresses and primaries, he added, would be announced soon. He added that Nigerians at home and in the diaspora were registering massively, and top politicians from across the country were joining the movement.
Addressing what he believed was the root of Dr. Ardo’s attacks, Dickson revealed that the two men had spoken privately about their respective struggles with INEC. “Dr. Ardo explained his frustrations stemming from INEC’s refusal to register the ADA,” Dickson said. “I explained how I faced a similar delay but approached the court and advised him to do the same, which he followed.” Dickson noted that he was aware of legal challenges Dr. Ardo currently faced due to internal disputes with fellow promoters of the ADA. He stressed that the NDC bore no responsibility for Ardo’s personal disappointments.
Crucially, Dickson pointed out that the NDC was not the only party registered through a court order. INEC recently registered the National Democratic Party (NDP) under similar circumstances — excluded, taken to court, and registered after a judgment that INEC did not appeal. “It is curious that Dr. Ardo, in his vituperations, said nothing about the NDP or other registered political parties,” Dickson observed.
Despite the attacks, Dickson remained defiant and optimistic about the NDC’s future. He dismissed the propaganda as a sign that the party’s rapid growth had made some political actors nervous. “For those who are purveyors of the false news, propaganda and their sponsors, I have bad news for them: they have not seen anything yet! The NDC has come to stay, and will mobilise all across Nigeria.”
Dickson concluded by reaffirming the NDC’s open-door policy for Nigerians who were “helpless and desirous of a change” and for politicians who were “stranded” due to the country’s current political developments. “While some may feel threatened by our momentum, they should be reminded that no force can stop an idea whose time has come,” he said, quoting Mahatma Gandhi: “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, and then you win.” “The NDC will win,” Dickson declared. “Keep registering, keep supporting and keep praying for the NDC and for Nigeria.”
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