National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Henry Seriake Dickson, has announced that the party has been granted access to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal to upload the names of its candidates for the 2027 general elections despite an ongoing legal dispute over the party’s status.
Dickson disclosed this in a statement posted on his X account on Monday, where he also confirmed that the party had filed an appeal and an application for a stay of execution following a recent Federal High Court ruling. According to him, the NDC INEC portal access demonstrates that the party remains actively involved in the electoral process.
Dickson said the appeal and accompanying application had been served on the INEC Chairman and the commission, urging the electoral body to continue acting in accordance with the law. He maintained that the NDC remains a duly registered political party and has successfully concluded its nationwide primary elections.
“The Nigeria Democratic Congress has come to stay and remains a duly registered party in Nigeria. Nomination processes have already been concluded and, in the eyes of the law, candidates have already emerged from the party for all offices across the country in primaries observed, monitored and recorded by INEC,” he said. According to Dickson, the remaining task is the administrative submission of candidates’ details through the NDC INEC portal.
The former Bayelsa State governor disclosed that his name and that of the party’s presidential candidate had already been uploaded to the INEC portal.
He added that the vice-presidential candidate’s details would be uploaded after the completion of the required documentation, while submissions for other candidates were also progressing. Dickson reminded party members that, under the INEC timetable, political parties have until July 11 to upload candidates for National Assembly elections and until July 17 for governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
“There is enough time for all candidates’ names to be submitted to INEC, and there is no reason for anyone to panic,” he stated.
Dickson congratulated candidates who emerged from the party’s primaries and appreciated all aspirants who participated in the process.
He acknowledged that the primaries were conducted under challenging circumstances but said reconciliation efforts had already begun to unite members who were unsuccessful. He assured them of roles in the party’s campaigns and organisational structures. He also stressed the importance of protecting Nigeria’s democratic institutions, warning against actions capable of weakening the country’s multi-party system.
Dickson commended INEC for what he described as its professionalism in complying with court orders relating to the registration of the NDC and other political parties. He further expressed confidence that the judiciary would fairly determine the pending appeal while reaffirming the party’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy through the NDC INEC portal nomination process.
