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INEC denied us access code for candidates’ nomination – NDC
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

INEC denied us access code for candidates’ nomination – NDC

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is seeking an access code from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to nominate its candidates.
  • INEC has not responded to the NDC's request, prompting the party to plan a court filing for a stay of execution regarding a previous ruling.
  • A Federal High Court had ruled that INEC should not recognize the NDC as a political party pending the resolution of legal issues, a decision the NDC plans to appeal.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has approached the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for an access code to upload its candidates for upcoming elections. The party states that INEC has not yet responded to this request.

The NDC plans to file for a stay of execution in court today, challenging a recent Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja, Kogi State. This ruling mandated INEC not to recognize the NDC as a political party until all legal disputes are settled.

We have approached INEC but they are yet to respond to our request. Hopefully, we shall be in court tomorrow( today to file for a stay of execution of the Lokoja FHC ruling.

— Osa DirectorThe National Publicity Secretary of the NDC speaking about the party's efforts to get an access code and their legal plans.

This Lokoja court decision follows an earlier judgment in December 2025, which had ordered INEC to register the NDC. That initial order was set aside after the Peace Movement Party (PMP) claimed ownership of the logo the NDC used for its registration.

Despite the setback, NDC National Chairman Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe insists the party remains legally recognized and will appeal the ruling. He assured that the party will participate in the 2027 presidential and general elections, having already fielded candidates in recent by-elections and nominated individuals for various positions.

the court’s latest decision did not order its deregistration and therefore does not affect its status as a registered political party.

— Moses Cleopas ZuwogheThe NDC National Chairman addressing journalists about the court ruling and the party's status.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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