INEC restores NDC nomination portal access, says Dickson

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reinstated the Nigeria Democratic Congress's (NDC) access to its candidate nomination portal, enabling the party to formally submit its key candidates. This development follows a period of uncertainty after a Federal High Court ruling questioned the party's status.

Senator Seriake Dickson, the NDC's National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor, announced the restoration on his X account. He described it as a positive step after the party lodged a notice of appeal and an application for a stay of execution against the court's decision. Dickson asserted that the NDC remains a duly registered political party and has conducted its primaries under INEC's supervision.

“

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.

"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," Dickson stated. He confirmed that nomination processes for all offices have been concluded, with candidates emerging from primaries observed and recorded by INEC. The immediate task is the administrative submission of these names.

“

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 confirmed that his name and that of the party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have been uploaded to the INEC portal. The vice presidential candidate's details will be submitted the following day. He urged party members to remain calm, noting that there is sufficient time within INEC's timetable to complete all submissions before the deadlines in July.

The NDC's legal team has served the appeal and accompanying applications on INEC, urging the commission to act in accordance with the law. The party maintains its legitimacy and its participation in all electoral processes to date.

“

So there is enough time for all candidates’ names to be submitted to INEC and there is no reason for anyone to panic.