INEC restores NDC portal access, party uploads Obi, Dickson’s names

The Independent National Electoral Commission has restored the Nigeria Democratic Congress’ access to its candidate nomination portal, enabling the party to begin uploading the names of its candidates despite the ongoing legal dispute over its status.

The party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, disclosed the development on Tuesday via his X account, saying the restoration followed the filing of a notice of appeal and an application for a stay of execution against the recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja.

According to Dickson, the appeal and related court processes have been served on INEC alongside a letter requesting the commission to act in line with the law.

He maintained that the NDC remains a legally registered political party and had validly conducted its primary elections under INEC’s supervision.

Dickson explained that while the primaries had produced candidates for various elective offices, the remaining task was the administrative submission of their names through the commission’s nomination portal.

He revealed that his name and that of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had already been uploaded.

According to him, the vice-presidential candidate’s details would be submitted after the completion of the required documentation, while the upload of other candidates was also ongoing.

He urged party members and supporters not to be alarmed, noting that there was sufficient time to complete the nomination exercise within INEC’s schedule.

Dickson said the party had until August 11 to submit the names of its National Assembly candidates, while nominations for governorship and state Houses of Assembly candidates would close on July 17.

He also appealed to aspirants who did not secure the party’s tickets to remain committed, saying reconciliation efforts were already underway.

According to him, all aspirants would continue to play active roles in the party’s campaign structures and committees because of their importance to the party’s grassroots organisation.

The former Bayelsa State governor expressed appreciation to INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, for what he described as the commission’s professionalism and urged the judiciary to determine the appeal in accordance with the law.

The development comes days after the NDC challenged the Federal High Court ruling that created uncertainty over the party’s registration, insisting the judgment neither dissolved nor deregistered the party.

The party has maintained that it remains legally recognised pending the outcome of its appeal.

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