NDC Appeals Court Decision Cancelling Its Registration As INEC Restores Portal Access

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has appealed the Federal High Court ruling that cancelled its registration as a political party.

Seriake Dickson, the NDC national leader, announced on Monday via his X page that the appeal has already been filed.

He also revealed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given the party access to its online portal to begin uploading the names of its candidates.

According to him, both his name and that of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have already been submitted on the INEC portal.

Dickson added that the vice-presidential candidate’s details will be uploaded after the required documentation is completed, while the registration of other candidates is also in progress.

The legal dispute began after the Federal High Court in Lokoja overturned its earlier judgment of December 10, 2025, which had directed INEC to register the NDC.

Justice Isah Dashen ruled that the earlier decision was flawed because not all parties affected by the case were given the opportunity to participate.

The court agreed with the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which argued that it should have been included in the original case because it had a direct interest in the matter.

The judge also said important facts were not presented during the first hearing and ordered that the case should start again with INEC, the NDC and the PMP all taking part.

Reacting to the ruling, Dickson said the party had not only appealed the judgment but also applied for a stay of execution.

He explained that copies of the court documents had been sent to the INEC chairman, urging the electoral body to act in line with the law.

The NDC chairman assured party members that there was still enough time to complete the candidate submission process.

“Today, the NDC has filed an appeal against the ruling as well as a stay of execution/injunction, which has been served with a covering letter to the INEC chairman and his team to do what is right according to law and what is legally sensible,” he said.

“What is left is the administrative process of submitting the names to INEC, and we have been granted access to the portal to upload our qualified candidates.

“My name and that of the Presidential Candidate have been uploaded to the INEC portal, while that of the Vice Presidential Candidate will be done tomorrow upon completion of the deposition. The process is also ongoing for other candidates.”

According to him, the party is following INEC’s election timetable, with the deadline for National Assembly candidates set for July 11, while governorship and state assembly candidates have until July 17.

“In accordance with the INEC timetable, which we have religiously abided by, we have between now and the 11th of next month to upload all National Assembly candidates, while those of governors and State Houses of Assembly will end on the 17th of July. So there is enough time for all candidates’ names to be submitted to INEC and there is no reason for anyone to panic,” he said.

Dickson also addressed complaints surrounding the party’s primary elections.

He admitted that the process was not perfect but said reconciliation efforts had begun to unite members and disappointed aspirants.

“The reconciliation processes have started and we expect them to reach everyone, to complement what I and the leadership have continued to do,” he said.

“And we assure them 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.”

He promised that everyone who showed interest in contesting under the party would continue to play important roles in its campaigns, committees and other party activities.

The NDC leader thanked Nigerians for their support and called on democratic institutions, including INEC, the judiciary and security agencies, to remain impartial in carrying out their responsibilities.

“Despite the imperfections of our institutions, INEC, the judiciary and security agencies, all leaders must be united to preserve the neutrality of the institutions that protect our democracy and our nation’s integrity,” he said.

Dickson expressed confidence that the courts would fairly consider the appeal and reach a decision based on the law, adding that the next step now rests with the judiciary.

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