By Eshioromeh Sebastian and James Adamu
Nigeria’s main opposition political parties, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have continued to consolidate their positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This came as Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso successfully uploaded their names into the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal, even as ongoing litigations threaten to deregister both platforms with Atiku and Amaechi, Obi and Kwankwaso as flagbearers.
NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, confirmed on Tuesday that Obi’s name was uploaded on Monday, while Kwankwaso’s name was successfully uploaded on Tuesday after he concluded his deposition.
Dickson, who personally visited Kwankwaso in Abuja to confirm the submission, expressed confidence that the party would be on ballot in 2027.
The uploads came despite a June 26, 2026 ruling by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, setting aside a December 10, 2025 judgment that had compelled INEC to register the NDC.
The court ruled that the earlier judgment was constitutionally defective because it affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed ownership of the “Victory Sign” logo used by the NDC, without the PMP being joined as a party to the original suit . Justice Dashen also observed that certain material facts had been suppressed in the earlier proceedings .
Consequently, the court ordered that the substantive suit should commence afresh, with INEC, the PMP, and the NDC as parties to the case. The ruling effectively reverses INEC’s recognition of the NDC, the issuance of its certificate of registration, and its inclusion in INEC’s records pending the final determination of the substantive suit .
The NDC has rejected the ruling. National Chairman Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe stated, “There was no order directing our deregistration. However, we are dissatisfied with the decision that has been made, and we have instructed our team of lawyers to immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge the jurisdiction and propriety of His Lordship’s order”.
NDC National Publicity Secretary Osa Director initially told reporters that the party approached INEC for the access code to upload its candidates but was turned down. However, the party later secured access after filing an appeal and a stay of execution application, which was served with a covering letter to the INEC chairman.
Senator Seriake Dickson maintained that the NDC remains a duly registered party, noting that it had participated in all electoral processes and concluded its primaries under INEC’s supervision. He argued that the trial court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment and lacked jurisdiction to revisit the matter .
Peter Obi, through his media office, described the ruling as “a hurdle, not a stop sign” and assured supporters that “the vehicle may face a temporary breakdown but our destination remains non-negotiable.”
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has also confirmed the upload of Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
In related development, the ADC is battling a Federal High Court judgment ordering its deregistration alongside four other parties, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Justice Peter Odo Lifu ruled on June 15, 2026, that the parties failed to meet constitutional performance thresholds .
However, the ADC secured a temporary reprieve when the Court of Appeal in Abuja granted a stay of execution of the judgment. The appellate court accused the lower court of “judicial rascality” and violating the hierarchy of courts, noting that Justice Lifu proceeded despite an earlier Court of Appeal order.
The panel declared that proceeding with the judgment despite the express order of the appellate court was “the highest form of judicial impertinence”. The matter has been adjourned until July 7, 2026, for substantive hearing.
Atiku Abubakar welcomed the Appeal Court’s decision, describing it as “a victory for democracy and constitutional order”. He expressed concern over what he described as “disturbing spectacle of judicial contradictions and politically charged rulings” in the country’s legal system.
The Court of Appeal is expected to hear the NDC’s appeal in the coming weeks. INEC has yet to issue an official statement on the status of both parties. The nomination portal for presidential candidates remains open until July 11, 2026.
Political analysts note that the opposition’s chronic inability to maintain unity has historically benefited the ruling party. In 2023, Tinubu won with 8.79 million votes, while Obi (6.1 million) and Atiku (6.9 million) split the opposition vote.
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