The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has confirmed that the party has been granted access to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal to upload its official list of candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The announcement, made on Monday via the Senator’s official X platform, serves as a significant development for the party, which has been navigating a turbulent legal landscape concerning its registration status.
Senator Dickson revealed that the party has formally filed an appeal, alongside an application for a stay of execution, following the recent Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja that questioned the NDC’s registration. These documents have been served upon the INEC Chairman, with the party urging the commission to uphold the rule of law.
Despite the ongoing judicial scrutiny, the former Bayelsa State Governor maintained that the NDC remains a fully registered entity. He emphasised that the party has successfully completed its nationwide nomination exercises, all of which were monitored and recorded by INEC officials.
“The Nigeria Democratic Congress has come to stay and remains a duly registered party in Nigeria,” Senator Dickson stated. “Nomination processes have been concluded and, in the eyes of the law, candidates have emerged for all offices across the country.”
According to the National Leader, the party is now focused on the administrative task of formalising candidate submissions. He noted that access to the INEC portal has already been utilised to upload the details of the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
With the INEC electoral timetable in mind, the party is working within the statutory deadlines: National Assembly Candidates: Deadline for upload is 11 July. Governorship and State House of Assembly Candidates: Deadline for upload is 17 July.
“There is enough time for all candidates’ names to be submitted to INEC, and there is no reason for anyone to panic,” he reassured party stakeholders.
Senator Dickson acknowledged the challenges faced by the newly formed party and confirmed that reconciliation efforts are already underway to unify members who were unsuccessful during the primaries. He pledged that these members would be integrated into the party’s campaign structures, committees, and broader grassroots activities.
Turning his attention to the national political climate, Senator Dickson issued a stern warning against those he termed “desperados and mercenaries” attempting to undermine Nigeria’s multi-party system. He commended INEC for its professionalism in complying with judicial directives regarding the registration of the NDC and expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to resolve the pending appeal fairly.
“Our multi-party democracy must not die,” he declared. “We must protect the neutrality of the judiciary, INEC, and security agencies. Having filed and served our appeal, the ball is now in the court of the judiciary, and we expect the court to do what is right under the law.”
The NDC’s leadership concluded the statement with a strong reaffirmation of their commitment to the democratic process, asserting that the party remains a central pillar for those advocating for political choice in the 2027 elections.
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