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Ardo’s bellyaching over NDC’s registration, childish, unreasonable – Dickson
An obviously incensed Henry Seriake Dickson, has lashed back at Umar, Convener of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), for questioning the legality of the registration of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, former Governor of Bayelsa State and currently a Senator and National Leader of the new party, not only dismissed Ardo’s position as misguided, but questioned his locus for threatening to challenge the outcome of the party registration in court.
The ADA promoter, who appeared as guest on Trust TV, while maintaining that the process that saw the registration of the party was flawed and did not follow due process, told his host that the legal action would also cover any other political party that, in his view, failed to meet statutory requirements but was still registered by the electoral body.
But Dickson, while expressing his disappointment at the posture, especially from someone he saw as a friend with whom he shared close relationship, stated that the ADA boss should have teamed up with the NDC having failed with his own option, adding that on the contrary he should have pursued his own case in court against INEC.
In a lengthy statement over the issue, Dickson, debunked all the allegations of any underhand dealings with the electoral commission, stating how the party’s registration came after the initial rejection by INEC was successfully challenged in court.
Hear him: “Dr. Ardo’s consistent propaganda against the NDC, especially knowing my involvement as founder and national leader, is shocking and speaks to a lack of respect and loyalty to friendship.
“The truth about NDC is in the public domain: The application commenced in 2017, when Dr. Ardo wasn’t even dreaming of registering a political party. The process stalled because INEC, under Dr. Mahmood Yakubu, halted the registration of political parties.
“However, last year when INEC lifted the embargo on registration of political parties, we revived our application and were subsequently listed alongside the 171 political associations.
“We waited to be invited by INEC to participate in the next stages of the registration process, only to receive a letter from INEC stating that our application was declined because our proposed logo, which is the two-finger sign, was similar to that of the APC broom. This was shocking to us and we wrote back to INEC to restate that the logos were in no way similar. INEC persisted and even refused us the opportunity to change the logo, upon our offer to do so.
“We wrote to INEC notifying them of our intention to sue and we went to court over this unlawful exclusion and upon this, the court enforced our rights to freedom of association, deemed us registered and directed INEC to register us, which they have implemented. INEC announced the NDC as one of the political parties in the country and issued a certificate of registration which we thank Prof. Amupitan, SAN, and the INEC, just as we thank the Judiciary.
“INEC did not and has not appealed this judgement, and by the way, the period of appeal has elapsed and no one, except INEC, has the locus standi to appeal the judgement. The judgment has been enforced by INEC and there’s nothing to appeal anymore. Moreover, if INEC who is the defendant has not appealed the judgement which has been accepted, implemented and obeyed, then no one can appeal against such.
“Upon receiving the certificate, we gave the mandatory 21 days notice to INEC and they came about two weeks ago to observe our first NEC, which confirmed our officers and also took dates for our congresses and primaries, to be announced by the party soonest.
“Dr. Ardo is aware of all of this because being a friend, we spoke, where he explained his frustrations stemming from INEC’s refusal to register the ADA. I explained how I faced a similar delay but approached the court and advised him to do same, which he followed.
“I am aware of the challenges he has in court as a result of disputes between him and his fellow promoters of the ADA and the NDC has nothing to do with this and, therefore, can not bear any responsibilities for his disappointment and frustration.
“A few weeks ago, INEC also registered the NDP, which was excluded but went to court and got judgement. And again, INEC chairman and his team did not appeal against it but obeyed the order, registered the party and issued a certificate of registration.
“The NDC is therefore not the only party that was registered as a result of a court order. It is curious that Dr. Adoh is his vituperations, said nothing about the NDP or other registered political parties.
“We are happy with the NDC’s registration and its formal presentation. Nigerians from all over the country and in the diaspora are registering massively and the party is gaining momentum with our officers working hard and promoting it. I am doing same, receiving top politicians from across the country and from all political parties.
“Considering our friendship, if ADA had been registered and NDC were not, I would have felt safe in calling Dr. Ardo’s party my own party and worked to build it in my areas of strength with my friends and allies which is what I expected Dr. Ardo to do, as I have always considered him a political ally and associate who should stand with me to deepen multiparty democracy and stem this drift towards one-party rule.
“While I will not go into reports and insinuations about his motive and those behind it out of respect for our relationship, Dr. Ardo’s activities are inimical to the endangered opposition political ecosystem we are working hard to strengthen.
“Dr. Ardo knows me enough not to associate me with anything less than transparent and honorable, and the NDC is not an exception. Our party is available for all Nigerians who are now helpless and desirous of a change.
“The NDC is also available to all politicians who are stranded as a result of the political developments in the country, who need a platform that is clean and unencumbered with any political crisis. The NDC is an ideological party and stands for a new brand of politics of ideas and service.
“Why are they silent about the other new parties that have been registered?
They are shocked at the giant strides the NDC has taken in less than two months against their expectation that it would be another mushroom party.
“For those who are purveyors of the false news, propaganda and their sponsors, I have bad news for them, they have not seen anything yet! The NDC has come to stay, and will mobilise all across Nigeria.
In summary;
– The NDC is registered because we won the court case compelling INEC to register us which they obeyed without appeal and we thank INEC and the Judiciary for this.
– The time for any appeal has elapsed, judgement has already been complied with and INEC is not complaining, so no one else has a locus standi to challenge this registration.
– There is no existing legal challenge against the NDC. No individual or group has the legal standing to contest the registration of a political party after a court judgement has been duly obeyed and implemented by INEC.
“Those who do not align with our vision are free to support any party or candidate of their choice. However, the spread of falsehoods and sponsored misinformation is unacceptable.
“We also acknowledge that some individuals, including certain political actors, may be fueling these narratives out of apprehension over the NDC’s growing acceptance under my leadership. This is not unexpected.
“I commend Nigerians at home and in the diaspora for their confidence in the NDC. We encourage continued participation and registration as we build a political movement committed to national progress. While some may feel threatened by our momentum, they should be reminded that no force can stop an idea whose time has come.
As Mahatma Gandhi famously said: “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, and then you win. The NDC will win! Keep registering, keep supporting and keep praying for the NDC and for Nigeria.”
“He is running in contempt of the court. Justice Lifu should be arrested because he is acting in contempt of the court which is a criminal act,” were the exact words with which the African Democratic Congress (ADC), demonstrated its angst over the court ruling on Monday, ordering its de-registration as a political party in Nigeria.
A furious Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesman of the party, told his host while appearing as a guest on Monday’s edition of Politics Today, a public affairs programme on Channels Television that the judge of the Abuja Federal High Court who gave the order was actually playing with fire because of the consequences.
Directly accusing him of playing the script of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to ensure that President Bola Tinubu emerged the sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election, the party spokesman, was emphatic that the plan would not work, as head or tail, ADC must be on the ballot in all the elections.
Hear him: “There is a Court of Appeal order saying don’t hear this case until October 27. So, on what basis? You can’t place something on nothing. The Court of Appeal said don’t act on this until I hear it on October 27. So, on what basis did he deliver the judgement
“So, for us in the African Democratic Congress, what we’re convinced and they know is what they have done has no leg to stand on legally. What they want to do is to create doubts in the minds of the people that this ADC has too many legal cases, can we actually run on this? And to distract us. But we’re not distracted.
“We’re very clear. It was in spite of all they have done since ADC came on board that we ran one of the best and one of the most comprehensive direct primaries in the history of democracy in Nigeria. So, we are strong enough to withstand this. And that’s why I’m saying that we are going to contest in 2027. We’re ADC. We don’t buckle before dictatorship.”
Stressing on the implication of the judgement, which also affected Accord Party (AP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) for allegedly failing to meet constitutional and electoral performance requirements, following a suit by the National Forum of Former Legislators, he said it portended grave danger.
He added: “We are not surprised. We know that the Nigerian people believe that there is a problem with the judiciary, but what we did not expect is the level of judicial rascality that was demonstrated today.
“What we are saying is that we reject it in its totality, and we are saying that the people behind this are playing with fire. Hundreds, if not thousands, have obtained nomination forms and contested elections and emerged as candidates on the platform of the ADC.”
Peter Obi, candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), in the 2027 presidential election, is peeved at the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordering the de-registration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying the move is a heavy blow and dangerous to Nigeria’s democracy.
Justice Peter Lifu, who made the order, based on an action brought by National Forum of Former Legislators, agreed that the parties, including Accord Party (AP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), failed to meet the requirement for continued existence in Nigeria.
But Obi, who left the ADC coalition to join the NDC, incidentally, based on what he explained resulted from the multiple court cases hanging on its neck, expressed his disenchantment, in a statement by the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), on Monday.
Signed by Ibrahim Umar, its spokesman, the group quoted the former Governor of Anambra State as decrying the growing damage to the nation’s sacred institutions on the altar of politics.
Stressing that the rise of nations depended on stronger institutions devoid of political influences, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, wrote on his X platform: “When the controversy surrounding the removal of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, unfolded, I expressed a concern to a friend: that the greatest damage might not be immediate, but the message it sends about the sanctity and independence of our institutions to the world.
“Strong economies are built on trust. Investors can manage security risks, policy risks, and even market risks. What they fear most is uncertainty in the rule of law and a judiciary that is perceived to be vulnerable to political pressure.
“Today, many Nigerians have lost confidence in systems that should protect them. Businesses increasingly request that their contracts be governed by foreign jurisdictions because they have greater confidence in those institutions than in our own. That should concern every patriot.
“We must never sacrifice our sacred institutions on the altar of politics. Nations rise when institutions are stronger than individuals. The Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the ADC and other political parties is just one of those activities that further reduces the common man’s trust in our legal systems. It should be reversed.
“I pledge that we will restore the dignity, independence, and integrity of the judiciary. The common man must have a voice. The business community must be protected from legal uncertainty and intimidation. Justice must be impartial, accessible, and respected by all. To our judges, legal luminaries, senior advocates, and lawyers: this is your moment. Rise, defend the rule of law, take back your country! A new Nigeria is POssible.”
Not even Lamine Yamal’s second half introduction could help Spain break through the defence of debutants, Cape Verde, in their first ever meeting, as the ongoing World Cup event produced another one of the stunning results on Monday.
Yamal, the Barcelona superstar just recovering from a near two-month hamstring injury, was brought into the game in the second half to zest up the one-time world champion, but failed to break down the Cape Verde’s dogged defence.
Spain’s in the game played in Atlanta, one of the cities hosting the three-nation Mundial, displayed the same dismal outing, which saw them offering far less than the quality, which saw them lifting the trophy for the first time in 2010.
The European champions, which have not won a knockout game ever since, failed to dominate the African side, replicating their less than impressing outings and their eventual exit in 2018 and 2022 editions, even with the claims of coach Luis de la Fuente that the squad was the best in the competition, Spain were considered among the pre-tournament.
Neither Yamal nor Nico Williams, who also was hit by an injury-disrupted season at Athletic Bilbao and was not introduced until the 87th minute, were able to rise to the occasion against the 500,000 people African side, ranked 67 in the world, which is making their debut on the global stage.
In stark contrast to the searing temperatures faced by some other sides, Atlanta’s state-of-the-art air conditioned stadium meant there was no excuses for the slow tempo of Spain’s build-up.
Indeed the mid-half hydration break was met by boos with fans frustrated at the break in play despite the cool conditions.
The only serious move from the European champions only came at the sixth minute to half-time, when Marc Cucurella, fresh for sealing his move from Chelsea to Real Madrid, sent over a teasing cross that Ferran Torres turned onto the crossbar and Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha got back on his feet to turn Mikel Oyarzabal’s looping header over the bar.
Even after the break, the Blue Sharks, were also able to hold back from the onslaught as they did in the first half, where Vozinho, managed to make another superlative save against Aymeric Laporte’s header just before half-time.
Despite the excitement from the crowd after he was introduced, Yamal, billed as one of the stars of the tournament, failed to create any magic with his first touch being the set-up of a decent opening for fellow substitute Mikel Merino which was too close to Vozinha.
In fact, Cabo Verde billed to take on Uruguay in Miami, nearly snatched a famous victory in the final minute of the 90 when Dani Borges planted a header too close to Unai Simon, who saved the occasion, to prevent the former world champions, billed to face Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on Sunday from humiliation.
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