Dickson Builds Only on Rocks; NDC Registration Further Solidified By Appeal Court Rulings - TDM

The National Coordinator of The Dickson Movement (TDM) and prominent member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi, has described the recent Court of Appeal judgment upholding the registration of the NDC as a significant development for Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

TDM, in a statement made available to journalists in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday, said the judgment had further strengthened confidence in the legal foundation upon which the NDC was established.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had, in a 2–1 majority decision, set aside the Federal High Court judgment in Lokoja, Kogi State, which had reversed an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party. The appellate court held that the lower court had erred by effectively revisiting its own earlier final judgment.

Reacting to the development, TDM said the outcome demonstrated what he described as the sound legal foundation upon which the NDC was built.

According to him, the development was another indication that Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the national leader of the NDC and former Governor of Bayelsa State, had approached the formation of the party with due diligence and respect for due process.

“From the beginning, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson has demonstrated that he does not build on a sandy foundation. He builds on a rocky and solid foundation capable of standing the test of time,” Ogbidi said.

He recalled Dickson’s background as a lawyer and former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Bayelsa State, arguing that his experience in public service and the legal profession contributed to the attention given to due process in the formation of the NDC.

TDM said the legal challenges surrounding the party’s registration had provided an opportunity for the courts to determine the issues surrounding its recognition.

The dispute followed an earlier Federal High Court judgment of December 10, 2025, directing INEC to register the NDC. The judgment was subsequently set aside by the same Federal High Court in Lokoja following an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which argued that its interests had been affected because it was not joined in the original proceedings. The NDC challenged that decision at the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal subsequently overturned the Lokoja ruling. In its majority decision, the appellate court held that the lower court could not effectively sit on appeal over its own earlier final judgment.

TDM said the latest ruling had, in their view, renewed confidence among members, supporters, and candidates of the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the development showed the importance of allowing the judiciary to resolve disputes arising from the political process in accordance with the Constitution and relevant laws.

“We salute the judiciary for upholding the rule of law and constitutional democracy on this matter. The judiciary remains an important institution in the protection of democratic principles, and we urge it to continue to dispense justice without fear or favour,” he said.

TDM  also called on Nigerians to remain committed to the principles of multi-party democracy and the rule of law as the country and give their votes to all NDC candidates in  the 2027 elections.

He said the NDC would continue to build its structures and pursue its political activities within the framework of the law.

The TDM coordinator further described the Court of Appeal ruling as a boost to the confidence of NDC members and supporters, insisting that the party’s legal status had received further judicial affirmation at the appellate level.

He added that the development will encourage political actors and citizens to use lawful and constitutional channels in resolving political disputes when the judiciary is seen to dispense justice without fear or favour, neither in manners capable of undermining Nigeria’s democracy.