Dickson Rejects NDC’s Criticism of Voter Registration as Propaganda

Former Bayelsa Governor Dickson Defends NDC Registration Amid Legal Controversy

Former Bayelsa State Governor Senator Seriake Dickson has strongly rejected claims that his political party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), was improperly registered by Nigeria’s electoral authority. His response comes after Umar Ardo, a chieftain of the All Democratic Alliance, publicly questioned the legitimacy of the NDC’s registration process.

In a statement released Monday via his official X account, Dickson dismissed Ardo’s allegations as “misguided and sponsored propaganda.” The senator, who serves as the NDC’s national leader, expressed surprise at Ardo’s position, citing their long-standing personal 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,” Dickson stated.

The controversy stems from Ardo’s recent appearance on Trust TV, where he claimed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to follow proper procedures when registering the NDC. Ardo suggested the timeline and process for the NDC’s registration appeared irregular compared to other political groups seeking official recognition.

Dickson provided a detailed chronology of the NDC’s registration journey, explaining that efforts to establish the party began in 2017 but were halted when INEC suspended new party registrations. “The application commenced in 2017, when Dr. Ardo wasn’t even dreaming of registering a political party,” Dickson noted, adding that the process remained stalled under INEC Chairman Dr. Mahmood Yakubu’s temporary moratorium on party registrations.

According to Dickson, when INEC eventually resumed processing applications, the commission initially rejected the NDC’s submission due to concerns about its proposed logo—a two-finger sign that INEC claimed resembled the broom symbol of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). “We were told our logo was similar to that of the APC broom. This was shocking to us,” Dickson said.

The former governor revealed that despite the party’s willingness to modify its logo, INEC declined to proceed with the registration, forcing the NDC to seek legal intervention. “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 explained.

Dickson emphasized that INEC subsequently complied with the court order and issued the party a certificate of registration. He noted that the electoral commission has not appealed the judgment, and the period for filing an appeal has elapsed. “No one, except INEC, has the locus standi to appeal,” he added.

Since receiving formal recognition, the NDC has moved forward with organizational activities. Dickson confirmed the party recently held its National Executive Committee meeting after providing INEC with the mandatory 21-day notice. During this meeting, the committee confirmed its officers and discussed dates for upcoming congresses and primaries.

The senator also revealed that he had previously counseled Ardo on handling similar registration challenges with his own political group, advising him to pursue legal remedies. “I explained how I faced a similar delay but approached the court and advised him to do the same, which he followed,” Dickson said. However, he firmly distanced the NDC from Ardo’s internal party disputes, stating, “The NDC has nothing to do with his challenges and cannot bear responsibility for his disappointment and frustration.”

Dickson also pointed out that court-ordered party registration is not uncommon in Nigeria’s political landscape. “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 about other parties registered through similar judicial interventions.

Despite the controversy, Dickson expressed optimism about the NDC’s growing support nationwide and among Nigerians in the diaspora. He emphasized that the party provides an alternative political platform for citizens seeking change and for politicians in need of “a platform that is clean and unencumbered.”

Concluding his statement, Dickson warned against the spread of misinformation about the NDC and insisted that no legal challenge exists against the party’s registration. “The NDC has come to stay and will mobilize across Nigeria,” he declared, encouraging supporters to continue registering with and supporting the party.