INEC restores NDC’s nomination portal access as Dickson, Obi’s names get uploaded
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restored the Nigeria Democratic Congress’ (NDC) access to its candidate nomination portal.
This development allows the opposition party to upload the names of its candidates, including its national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, and its presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, despite an ongoing legal battle over the party’s legal status.
Senator Dickson disclosed this on Tuesday via a post on his official X account.
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Describing the development as a positive step forward, the lawmaker noted that the breakthrough came swiftly after the NDC filed a notice of appeal and an application for a stay of execution against last week’s judgment by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja.
According to Dickson, the appeal and accompanying applications have been served on the electoral umpire alongside a covering letter urging the commission to act in accordance with the rule of law.
‘NDC has come to stay’
Reassuring party faithful, the former Bayelsa State governor maintained that the NDC remains a duly registered political party that has validly conducted its primary elections under the strict supervision of INEC.
“Today, the NDC has filed an appeal against the ruling as well as a stay of execution/injunction, which has been served with a covering letter to the INEC chairman and his team to do what is right according to law and what is legally sensible,” Dickson stated.
“The Nigeria Democratic Congress has come to stay and remains a duly registered party in Nigeria which has participated in all the political processes so far. Nomination processes have already been concluded and, in the eyes of the law, candidates have already emerged… What is left is the administrative process of submitting the names to INEC, and we have been granted access to the portal to upload our qualified candidates.”
Uploads ongoing within INEC timetable
The Senator further revealed that key candidate profiles have already hit the electoral commission’s database.
“My name and that of the presidential candidate have been uploaded to the INEC portal, while that of the vice presidential candidate will be done tomorrow upon completion of the deposition. The process is also ongoing for other candidates,” he explained.
Urging party members to remain calm, Dickson emphasized that there is still ample time to hit INEC’s deadlines.
For the National Assembly candidates, uploads window closes on the 11th of next month, while for governorship and the State Assembly Candidates: Uploads window closes on July 17.
“So there is enough time for all candidates’ names to be submitted to INEC and there is no reason for anyone to panic,” he assured.
Olive branch to aggrieved members
Looking inward, the party leader appealed to unsuccessful aspirants to rally behind the NDC’s vision, announcing that internal reconciliation mechanisms have already been triggered.
“The reconciliation processes have started and we expect them to reach everyone. We assure them that all those who expressed interest will be carried along in the party’s campaigns, committees, and structures because they constitute the grassroots strength and the backbone of our party,” Dickson said.
He went on to commend the INEC chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, for the commission’s professionalism, while expressing confidence that the judiciary will handle the appeal fairly.
The latest development follows days of uncertainty triggered by a Federal High Court judgment questioning the NDC’s registration status. The opposition party has stiffly resisted the ruling, insisting that the judgment neither dissolved nor deregistered the party, and maintains that its legal recognition remains intact pending the determination of the appeal.
