Former Bayelsa State governor and serving senator, Seriake Dickson, has rejected allegations that the National Democratic Congress was improperly registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission, describing the claims as misguided and sponsored propaganda.

The criticism was triggered by Umar Ardo, a chieftain of the All Democratic Alliance, who alleged in a television interview that the NDC’s registration did not follow due process and that its timeline was irregular when compared with other political associations seeking recognition.

Responding through a statement issued on his official X handle, Dickson, founder and national leader of the NDC, said he was surprised that such accusations were coming from Ardo, whom he described as a long-standing associate. He accused Ardo of running a sustained propaganda campaign against the party despite being fully aware of the history behind its registration.

Dickson explained that the NDC’s application for registration began in 2017, long before Ardo contemplated forming a political party. According to him, the process stalled when INEC, under Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, suspended the registration of new parties. When the exercise resumed, the NDC’s application was turned down on the grounds that its proposed logo, a two-finger sign, was allegedly similar to the All Progressives Congress broom symbol.

He said the party attempted to resolve the matter administratively, including offering to modify the logo, but INEC maintained its position, forcing the NDC to seek judicial intervention. A court eventually ruled in favour of the party, affirming its right to freedom of association, deeming it duly registered and directing INEC to issue a certificate of registration.

According to Dickson, INEC complied with the judgment and has not appealed it, while the window for any appeal has lapsed. He stressed that only INEC would have had the legal standing to challenge the ruling, insisting that no individual or group can now contest the party’s status.

The senator said the NDC has since begun full political activities, including convening its first National Executive Committee meeting, which INEC officials observed after the party issued the mandatory 21-day notice. That meeting ratified party officers and set timelines for congresses and primaries.

Dickson distanced the NDC from internal disputes within Ardo’s political platform, arguing that the frustrations of other groups should not be transferred to his party. He noted that the NDC is not the only party registered on the strength of a court order and questioned why critics have singled it out.

He maintained that there is no existing legal challenge to the NDC’s registration and warned against the spread of misinformation. Dickson said the party is gaining momentum nationwide and among Nigerians in the diaspora, positioning itself as a clean and unencumbered platform for citizens seeking political change.