ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The vice presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Rabiu Kwankwaso on Sunday met with the National Leader of the party, Seriake Dickson over the recent court ruling on the party’s registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Gistcore recalls that the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Friday vacated its December 10, 2025 judgment which compelled the electoral body to register the NDC as a political party.

In the ruling delivered in suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025, Justice Isah Dashen held that the earlier judgment was delivered without hearing all necessary parties, making the proceedings constitutionally defective.

The court’s decision followed an application by the Peace Movement Party, which argued that it had a legal interest in the matter and should have been joined in the suit before judgment was delivered.

The decision of the court has been raising dust as opposition parties accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of plotting to manipulate the judiciary.

In a post on his official Facebook page on Sunday, Senator Dickson confirmed the meeting with Kwankwaso, saying that they “discussed issues of mutual interest concerning our party”.

The NDC leader stated that himself and other leaders of the party have resolved to reject alleged one-party democracy.

“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,” he added.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has advised President Bola Bola Tinubu to emulate former presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, saying they never deregistered opposition political parties.

Atiku made the call on Saturday in reaction to an attempt to deregister the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, through the courts.

The former Vice President said attempts to restrict political competition run contrary to democratic principles and could erode public confidence in the electoral process.
Former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari never deregistered opposition political parties. Copy and learn from them.

“If you’re truly popular and your policies have positively bettered the lives of the citizens, you shouldn’t be afraid of a free and fair competition,” Atiku said.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has raised concerns over plans by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to establish state police through a constitutional amendment.

In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the opposition party said the Tinubu administration’s credibility and competence were at an unprecedented low in Nigeria’s democratic history.

The party acknowledged the need for a major review and overhaul of Nigeria’s security, law and order institutions to address insecurity and strengthen citizens’ confidence in leaders and critical institutions.

However, it argued that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration lacked the moral standing and public trust required to undertake a major restructuring of the country’s policing system.

“Going by precedent and record, this administration will almost certainly secure what is needed to amend the constitution and actualize its desire to establish State Police,” the statement said.

“While Nigeria needs major review and overhaul of its security and law and order institutions to address national security and create an environment that should raise citizens’ confidence and faith in leaders and critical institutions, this administration lacks the moral assets and the trust of Nigerians to undertake a major shift in the policing structure of the country.

“The APC administration has failed to manage our security structure and institutions. Its plan to engineer the emergence of State Police is suspicious and it should be rejected.”

The PRP said the forthcoming election should serve as a test of credibility and popular acceptance before the country takes decisions on major issues such as the creation of state police.

It also urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure citizens and bring an end to the insecurity facing the country.

President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday transmitted to the Senate a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of state police services across the federation. The upper chamber passed the bill on Wednesday.