The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has announced that the party has successfully uploaded the name of its 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal, insisting that the party remains fully recognised despite the recent legal dispute over its registration.
Dickson made the disclosure in a statement issued on Monday, revealing that the NDC had already challenged the recent Federal High Court ruling affecting the party by filing a notice of appeal alongside an application for a stay of execution.
According to him, both applications have been served on the Chairman of INEC and the electoral commission.
He said the development enabled the party to proceed with the submission of its candidates in line with the electoral timetable.
“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,” Dickson stated.
The former Bayelsa State governor maintained that the NDC remains a duly registered political party, stressing that it has participated in every stage of the electoral process since its registration.
According to him, the party’s primary elections were conducted under the observation and monitoring of INEC, while candidates for various elective offices have already emerged.
He explained that the remaining task is the administrative process of uploading candidates’ names to the electoral commission’s portal.
Dickson also reminded party members that, under the INEC timetable, the NDC has until July 11 to submit the names of its National Assembly candidates and until July 17 to upload those of its governorship and State House of Assembly candidates.
He urged members, supporters and candidates not to be discouraged by recent developments, expressing confidence that the party has ample time to complete the nomination process.
The NDC leader acknowledged that disagreements arose during the party’s primary elections but disclosed that reconciliation efforts were already underway to unite aspirants and stakeholders across the country.
He assured aspirants who did not secure tickets that they would remain integral to the party’s campaign structure and other strategic activities.
Dickson congratulated all NDC candidates, members and supporters for what he described as their resilience and commitment to the party’s vision, while calling on Nigerians to defend the country’s multi-party democratic system.
He also commended INEC for what he described as its professionalism in handling the party’s registration and electoral processes, urging the electoral body, the judiciary and security agencies to remain impartial in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.
According to him, with the appeal and applications now before the court, the NDC is confident that the judiciary will resolve the matter in accordance with the law.
