NDC Senator Dickson Fires Back, Blasts Ardo For Disputing Party’s Registration   

_By Secular Advocacy TV Political Affairs Desk |

The registration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is facing controversial backlash after Dr. Umar Ardo of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), intensified criticism of the process despite a court judgment backing the party’s registration.

Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, NDC National Leader, has dismissed Ardo’s claims as “misguided and sponsored propaganda,” while citing their “long-standing friendship and shared struggles with INEC.”

The strife comes amid the formal defection of former Labour Party Presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso reportedly prepare to NDC, with what insiders describes as the “OK alliance” solidifying.

Ardo had earlier challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registering the NDC, alleging that the party “did not submit an application, was not shortlisted among the 14, and did not make the final eight” during INEC’s 2025 registration exercise. He claimed that it was “shocking” that the NDC “suddenly appeared with a registration certificate.”

INEC had clarified in their portal that the NDC was registered pursuant to a court order. Ardo rejected that explanation, arguing that due process would require INEC to be served and represented in court. He said the ADA is taking steps to obtain Certified True Copies of the court processes from the Lokoja Federal High Court where the lawsuit was reportedly decided.

Dickson maintained that the NDC’s registration was “validated by a court judgment and fully implemented by INEC.” He questioned the timing of Ardo’s criticism, noting: “These attacks come exactly as NDC gains serious momentum with high-profile interest and the OK alliance solidifying.”

The development has prompted debate over whether the criticism reflects “genuine concern about due process, or an attempt to disrupt and delegitimise a rising platform — just like we witnessed with the Labour Party and ADC.”

INEC in September 2025 published 14 political associations for nationwide verification out of 171 that showed interest. Eight groups advanced to the portal verification stage.

Neither Peter Obi nor Rabiu Kwankwaso has publicly confirmed a move to the NDC as of press time. INEC has not issued further comment on the dispute.

Obi was the Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023, while Kwankwaso ran under the NNPP. Dickson is a former Bayelsa State governor and currently a senator.