NDC confirms access to INEC portal, uploads Presidential candidate for 2027 election

The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Henry Seriake Dickson, has announced that the party has secured access to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal to upload the names of its qualified candidates for the 2027 general elections.

Dickson made the disclosure on Monday in a statement shared on his X account, where he also revealed that the party had filed an appeal and an application for a stay of execution against a recent court ruling affecting its status.

According to him, the appeal and accompanying application have already been served on the INEC Chairman and the electoral commission, with the party urging the commission to act in accordance with the law.

He maintained that the NDC remains a legally registered political party that has participated in all electoral processes and successfully concluded its primary elections nationwide.

“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.

Dickson explained that only the administrative stage of submitting candidates’ names remained and confirmed that the party had now been granted access to the INEC nomination portal.

“My name and that of the presidential candidate have been uploaded to the INEC portal, while that of the vice-presidential candidate will be uploaded tomorrow upon completion of the deposition. The process is also ongoing for other candidates,” he stated.

He noted that, in line with INEC’s timetable, the party has until July 11 to upload the names of its National Assembly candidates and until July 17 to submit governorship and State House of Assembly candidates.

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

Dickson commended all aspirants who participated in the party’s primaries, admitting that while the exercises were not flawless, they were conducted under difficult circumstances for a newly registered political party with numerous contestants.

He disclosed that reconciliation efforts had already begun to reunite members who lost during the primaries, assuring them that they would be accommodated in campaign structures, committees and other party activities.

“As National Leader, I congratulate all NDC candidates, members and lovers of democracy. All those who expressed interest will be carried along because they constitute the grassroots strength and backbone of our party,” he said.

The former Bayelsa State governor also stressed the importance of protecting Nigeria’s democratic system, warning against attempts to undermine the country’s multi-party democracy.

“Our multi-party democracy must not die. We will not allow desperados and mercenaries parading as political leaders to destroy our hard-earned democracy,” he declared.

Dickson further commended INEC for what he described as professionalism in complying with court directives relating to the registration of the NDC and two other political parties.

He also praised the commission for resisting attempts to deregister opposition parties and for recognising the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following a court order.

While acknowledging that Nigeria’s democratic institutions are not without flaws, he urged political leaders to preserve the neutrality and independence of the judiciary, INEC and security agencies.

Expressing confidence in the judicial process, Dickson said, “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.”

He concluded by reaffirming the party’s commitment to democratic governance, declaring, “Long live the NDC. Long live Nigerian democracy.”