INEC Grants NDC Access to Upload Candidates as Party Files Appeal

By Eshioromeh Sebastian

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has confirmed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has granted the party access to its online portal for the upload of candidates for various elective offices, even as the party proceeds with its legal challenge against a recent court ruling that nullified its registration.

The party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, made this known on Monday. He disclosed that his name and that of the party’s Presidential Candidate have already been uploaded, while the Vice Presidential Candidate’s name will be submitted tomorrow upon completion of necessary documentation.

The NDC’s legal troubles stem from a logo ownership dispute with a group known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP) .

In December 2025, the Court of Appeal had originally ordered INEC to register the NDC, paving the way for the party’s participation in the electoral process. However, that judgment was later set aside by a Federal High Court in Abuja on the grounds that the PMP was never joined as a party to the original lawsuit.

The court ruled that the PMP claimed ownership of the logo the NDC had used to secure its registration. Because the PMP’s legal rights were affected without their participation in the proceedings, the judge declared the December 2025 judgment null and void. This decision effectively returned the NDC’s registration status to the position before that judgment.

The NDC has strongly rejected this reasoning. Party leaders have argued that the PMP is not a registered political party and was not among the associations that initially applied for registration. They have also pointed out that INEC’s original reason for refusing registration was that the NDC’s logo resembled that of the All Progressives Congress (APC), not the PMP.

“The party remains a duly registered party in Nigeria which has participated in all the political processes so far,” Dickson insisted, dismissing the court’s reasoning.

In response to the adverse ruling, the NDC has filed an appeal against the judgment, alongside a stay of execution/injunction. The legal papers have been served with a covering letter to the INEC Chairman and his team, urging them to act 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,” Dickson stated.

The party is banking on the appellate court to reverse the decision and restore its registration status.

Despite the legal uncertainty, Dickson confirmed that INEC has granted the NDC access to its portal to upload candidates. He emphasized that nomination processes have already been concluded, and candidates have emerged from the party for all offices across the country in primaries observed, monitored and recorded by INEC.

“What is left is the administrative process of submitting the names to INEC,” he said.

Despite the ongoing legal tussle, Dickson assured party faithful that there is sufficient time to meet all INEC deadlines. According to the electoral timetable, the NDC has until the 11th of next month to upload all National Assembly candidates, while the deadline for governors and State Houses of Assembly candidates is July 17th.

“There is enough time for all candidates’ names to be submitted to INEC and there is no reason for anyone to panic,” he emphasized.

The NDC leader also extended gratitude to all aspirants who participated in the party’s primaries, acknowledging that while the processes were not perfect, efforts are underway to resolve differences.

“The reconciliation processes have started and we expect them to reach everyone,” Dickson said, adding that all those who expressed interest will be carried along in the party’s campaigns, committees and structures, “because they constitute the grassroots strength and the backbone of our party.”

Dickson thanked INEC, led by Professor Joash Amupitan, for their professionalism so far, while also noting the commission’s stance in filing an affidavit in opposition to the suit seeking to deregister some opposition parties, and in reversing the non-recognition of the chairmanship of David Mark of the ADC as directed by the court.

In a stern warning, Dickson declared that Nigeria’s multi-party democracy “must not die” and vowed that the party will not allow “desperados and mercenaries parading as political leaders to destroy our hard-earned democracy.”