The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as propaganda surrounding the party’s registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Dickson, a former Bayelsa State governor, defended the legitimacy of the NDC’s registration, insisting that the process followed due procedure.
In a post on 𝕏 on Monday, the senator representing Bayelsa West said the party’s formation dated back to 2017, contrary to claims that it was recently registered without meeting legal requirements.
His remarks came amid threats by a promoter of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Dr Umar Ardo, to challenge the registration of the NDC in court over alleged procedural breaches.
The development also came on a day the NDC said it had registered 10 million members, less than 48 hours after former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and some African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders joined the party on Sunday evening.
The NDC also held its state congresses on Monday and elected state executive committees. Meanwhile, the ADC and the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar denied alliance talks with the NDC.
Dickson maintained that the emergence of the party was the result of a long-standing process, adding that documentation existed to support its position.
He said, “For the record, the annexures show that we initiated the registration process for the NDC as far back as 2017, and that INEC granted approval at that time before the process was halted. When party registration resumed last year, we revisited and updated our earlier application.”
The former governor said the party was conceived as an ideological platform that could outlive its founders and contribute to national development.
“Our goal in the NDC is to build an ideological political party that can endure beyond its founders for generations to come,” Dickson said.
‘Ignore Propaganda’ – Dickson
Dickson said the NDC placed strong emphasis on youth and women participation, describing it as a platform built on inclusion, mentorship and service.
He added that the party had continued to attract support nationwide due to what he called a convergence of experienced political actors with grassroots influence.
“What we are witnessing is a powerful convergence… leaders across the country coming together under one platform,” he said.
The former governor acknowledged that political initiatives of such scale would attract criticism, but urged Nigerians not to be distracted.
He said, “With my experience in politics, I am fully aware that an ambitious project of this nature will attract distractions, rumours, gossip, propaganda and even blackmail. I therefore urge Nigerians to ignore such propaganda.”
Dickson called on Nigerians to join the NDC, register and participate actively in the political process.
