National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has strongly rejected a recent ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja that vacated an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.

The ruling, delivered on Friday by Justice Isah Dashen, set aside the court's December 2025 judgment after an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), an unregistered association, which challenged the logo adopted by the NDC.

The court held that the earlier judgment was constitutionally defective because all necessary parties were not joined in the suit. It consequently ordered a fresh hearing involving INEC, the NDC, and the PMP, while restoring the status quo pending the determination of the case.

Reacting to the development in a statement issued shortly after the ruling, Dickson described the court order as lacking legal merit and aimed at undermining the party's credibility and democratic aspirations.

The former Bayelsa State governor disclosed that the party's legal team had already commenced steps to challenge the ruling through appropriate judicial channels.

He urged members, supporters, and candidates of the NDC to remain calm and continue with their political activities, assuring them that the legal setback would not derail the party's mission.

The senator expressed surprise that the challenge originated from what he described as an unregistered association with no legal entitlement to exclusive ownership of the disputed logo.

According to him, the Peace Movement Party was neither among the 171 political associations that applied for registration in 2025 nor one of the 21 associations shortlisted by INEC for registration, arguing that it therefore lacked sufficient interest in the matter.

Dickson maintained that the association was not a necessary party to the original suit and accused unnamed individuals of attempting to frustrate the progress made by the NDC within a short period.

"We will not allow this to slow us down or break our spirit. The struggle must continue," he declared.

The NDC leader further alleged that Justice Dashen erred in law and vowed that the party would seek judicial remedies to reverse what he described as a legal anomaly.

Encouraging party faithful across the country, Dickson urged them to remain steadfast, saying the legal challenge demonstrated that the party's growing influence had attracted significant attention.

Quoting one of his favourite sayings, he remarked:

He added that the NDC was now at the "attack" stage and expressed confidence that victory would ultimately follow.

Dickson also disclosed that thousands of Nigerians registered as members of the NDC on the day of the court ruling in a show of solidarity with the party.

Expressing gratitude to supporters nationwide, he said the growing public confidence in the NDC had strengthened the party's resolve to continue advocating for a more inclusive and competitive multi-party democracy in Nigeria.

The legal dispute is expected to continue in court as the NDC seeks to overturn Friday's ruling and revive the earlier judgment directing its registration by INEC.