Closed-Door Meeting in Abuja Following Court Ruling
Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the national leader of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), met behind closed doors with the party's vice presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in Abuja. The meeting came after a Federal High Court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, disclosed the meeting in a statement issued via his X handle @iamHSDickson on Sunday, June 28, 2026. He stated that they discussed issues of mutual interest concerning the party and reaffirmed their resolve to stand together in the fight for multi-party democracy.
Party Leaders Vow to Fight Court Decision
According to Dickson, he briefed Kwankwaso on the measures the party is taking to correct and redress the distractions caused by the anomalous ruling of the Federal High Court. “We reaffirmed our resolve to stand together in the fight for multi-party democracy, and I briefed him on the measures the party is taking to correct and redress the distractions occasioned by the anomalous ruling of the Federal High Court. We are on course!” Dickson said.
The meeting signals a united front within the NDC as it challenges the court order that threatens its existence. The party is expected to file an appeal and explore legal options to overturn the deregistration.
Background: Court Orders INEC to Deregister NDC
The Federal High Court ruling, delivered earlier in June 2026, directed INEC to deregister the NDC, citing violations of electoral laws. The court did not specify the exact grounds, but the party has faced allegations of non-compliance with financial reporting and internal democracy requirements. The NDC, which fielded Kwankwaso as its vice presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has been a vocal critic of the current administration.
Political analysts view the deregistration as a significant blow to the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections. The NDC is one of several smaller parties that have struggled to meet INEC's stringent regulations.
The meeting between Dickson and Kwankwaso underscores the party's determination to resist the court order. Both leaders are expected to engage other opposition figures and civil society groups to rally support for their cause.
