BY: Oluwaseye Ogunsanya
Claim:
An X user claimed that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was started by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Verdict:
False. NDC was not formed by Goodluck Jonathan.
Verification:
To verify the claim, FactCheckAfrica conducted a Google search which led to reports indicating that former Bayelsa State Governor and current Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Seriake Dickson, has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to establish a new political platform, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). These reports were corroborated by multiple sources.
In a follow-up interview, Dickson described the NDC as his “baby,” noting that he founded the party in collaboration with associates across the country. He explained that his decision to leave the PDP was driven by the party’s prolonged internal crisis, which, according to him, its governors and leaders failed to effectively manage.
Providing further clarification on the party’s formation, following claims by a chieftain of the All Democratic Alliance, Umar Ardo, that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was not duly registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Bayelsa West Senator, Seriake Dickson, outlined the party’s registration history.
He explained that the process began in 2017 but was stalled when INEC, under Mahmood Yakubu, suspended the registration of new political parties. He added that the application had already been underway at a time when, according to him, Dr. Ardo “wasn’t even dreaming of registering a political party.”
According to Dickson, the process resumed after INEC lifted the embargo, but the commission initially rejected the application over concerns about the party’s proposed logo.
“We were told our logo, the two-finger sign, was similar to that of the APC broom. This was shocking to us,” he said.
He noted that despite attempts to address the issue, including a willingness to modify the logo, INEC declined, prompting the party to seek legal redress.
“We went to court over this unlawful exclusion, and the court enforced our rights to freedom of association, deemed us registered and directed INEC to register us,” he said.
Dickson further stated that INEC complied with the court order and subsequently issued the party a certificate of registration.
“INEC did not and has not appealed this judgment, and the period of appeal has elapsed. No one, except INEC, has the locus standi to appeal,” he added.
He concluded that the party has since commenced formal activities, including notifying INEC of its National Executive Committee meeting.
Conclusion:
There is no evidence to support the claim that the NDC was formed by Goodluck Jonathan.
