June 29 (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has declared that it remains a legally recognised political party and has filed a notice of appeal alongside an application for a stay of execution against a court ruling affecting its registration, insisting it will continue participating in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The party’s National Leader, Seriake Dickson announced the development on Monday, stating that the appeal and accompanying applications had been served on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with a covering letter urging the electoral body to act in accordance with the law while the matter is pending before the courts.
“Today, the NDC has filed an appeal against the ruling as well as a stay of execution, 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 said.
He stressed that the NDC “has come to stay” and remains a duly registered political party, noting that it had fully participated in all political processes leading to the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the party has already concluded its nomination processes nationwide, with candidates for various elective offices emerging through primaries that were observed, monitored, and recorded by INEC.
The former Bayelsa governor explained that what remains is the administrative submission of candidates’ names through INEC’s nomination portal, adding that the commission had already granted the party access to upload the names of its candidates.
Dickson disclosed that his name and that of the party’s presidential candidate had already been uploaded to the INEC portal, while the vice-presidential candidate’s details would be submitted upon completion of the required documentation. He added that the upload of candidates for other elective offices was also ongoing.
“In accordance with the INEC timetable, which we have religiously abided by, we have between now and the 11th of next month to upload all National Assembly candidates, while those of governors and State Houses of Assembly will end 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 said.
The NDC leader commended aspirants who participated in the party’s primaries, acknowledging that while the process was not perfect, efforts were being made to resolve grievances through reconciliation.
He said only one aspirant could emerge victorious in each contest but assured unsuccessful contestants that they would continue to play important roles in the party.
“The reconciliation processes have started and we expect them to reach everyone, to complement what the leadership and I have continued to do. We assure all those who expressed interest that they will be carried along in the party’s campaigns, committees, and structures because they constitute the grassroots strength and backbone of our party,” he stated.
HSD congratulated all successful candidates and thanked party members, supporters, and Nigerians for their solidarity, describing the defence of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy as a collective responsibility.
“Our multi-party democracy must not die. We will not allow desperados and mercenaries parading as political leaders to destroy our hard-earned democracy,” he declared.
He also commended INEC for what he described as its professionalism, particularly its compliance with court directives regarding the registration of the NDC and two other political parties.
The NDC leader further praised the commission for filing an affidavit opposing efforts to deregister some opposition parties and for reversing the non-recognition of the chairmanship of David Mark in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in line with a court directive.
While acknowledging the imperfections within Nigeria’s democratic institutions, HSD urged political leaders to safeguard the neutrality of INEC, the judiciary, and security agencies.
“Despite the imperfections of our institutions, INEC, the judiciary, and security agencies, all leaders must be united to preserve the neutrality of the institutions that protect our democracy and our nation’s integrity,” he said.
He maintained that, with the appeal and applications now before the court, the judiciary should be allowed to determine the matter in accordance with the law.
“Having filed and served our appeal and the accompanying applications, the ball is now in the court of the judiciary, and we expect the judiciary to do what is right under the law,” HSD said.
He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to Nigeria’s democratic process, declaring: “Long live the NDC. Long live Nigerian democracy.”
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