Deregistration Crisis: INEC Restores NDC Nomination Portal Access

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restored the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)’s access to its candidate nomination portal, allowing the party to continue uploading the names of its candidates despite the ongoing court case over its registration status. The development was announced on Tuesday by the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, through a post on his X account.

Dickson said the restoration followed the party’s decision to challenge the recent Federal High Court judgment in Lokoja by filing a notice of appeal alongside an application seeking a stay of execution.

According to him, both legal documents had already been served on INEC together with a formal request asking the commission to act in line with the law while the appeal is being heard.

He maintained that the NDC remains a legally registered political party and has completed all required primary elections under the supervision of INEC. He explained that the party had already produced candidates for different elective positions through primaries that were monitored and documented by the electoral commission.

Dickson disclosed that the only remaining step was the administrative process of submitting candidates’ names through the INEC portal. He confirmed that his own name, as well as that of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had already been uploaded. He added that the vice-presidential candidate’s details would also be submitted after the completion of the necessary documentation, while the upload of other candidates was already in progress.

He assured party members that there was no reason to worry because there was still enough time to complete the nomination process within the timetable released by INEC. He noted that the deadline for submitting National Assembly candidates is July 11, while governorship and State House of Assembly candidates can still be uploaded until July 17.

Dickson also called on aspirants who did not secure the party’s tickets to remain committed to the NDC. He said reconciliation efforts had already started and promised that every member who participated in the nomination process would be included in campaign activities, committees and other party structures because of their role in building the party.

The former Bayelsa State governor thanked INEC and its chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, for allowing the nomination process to continue. He also expressed confidence that the judiciary would determine the appeal based on the law.

The latest development comes only a few days after the NDC appealed the Lokoja court judgment that created uncertainty over the party’s registration. The party has continued to insist that the judgment did not dissolve or deregister it and that it remains legally recognised until the appeal is decided.