Admin I Tuesday, June 30, 2026
ABUJA — The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially filed an appeal and a motion for a stay of execution against a recent court ruling targeting its status, declaring that it remains a legally recognized political entity determined to protect Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
The legal documents, along with an injunction, have been formally served to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The party is urging the electoral umpire to act in accordance with the law and legal prudence while the appellate process unfolds.
In a comprehensive statement issued by the NDC National Leader, High Chief Henry Seriake Dickson (HSD), the party reassured its members, candidates, and the general public that its structures remain intact.
The leadership emphasized that the party has already completed its primary elections for various offices nationwide under the direct observation and monitoring of INEC.
Addressing concerns regarding the submission of candidates’ credentials, the NDC disclosed that it has already been granted access to the official INEC portal.
The administrative process of uploading the names of qualified candidates is actively underway, fully compliant with the electoral body’s established deadlines.
”My name and that of the Presidential Candidate have already been successfully uploaded to the INEC portal,” the statement revealed. “The Vice Presidential Candidate’s details will be uploaded tomorrow following the completion of the required legal depositions. The process is also steadily progressing for all other candidates across the country.”
The party leadership pointed out that under the current INEC timetable, there is still ample time to finalize these submissions, eliminating any reason for anxiety among party faithful.
The deadline for uploading National Assembly candidates is scheduled for the 11th of next month, while the window for Gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly candidates closes on July 17.
Acknowledging the friction that often accompanies internal party politics, the National Leader extended gratitude to all aspirants who participated in the primaries.
He admitted that managing a vast volume of contestants through direct primaries across all states presented logistical and procedural challenges for the young party.
”In any primary election, no matter how transparently conducted, only one candidate can emerge victorious. While our processes were not entirely perfect, we have moved swiftly to address internal differences,” the party leader stated.
A structured reconciliation process has been initiated to engage aggrieved aspirants. The party’s hierarchy assured all participants that they would be actively integrated into the national campaign structures, specialized committees, and leadership bodies, describing the aspirants as the foundational strength of the party’s grassroots mobilization.
The NDC expressed its gratitude to INEC, under the leadership of Professor Joash Amupitan, commending the commission’s professionalism during this transitional political period.
The party highlighted the Chairman’s past compliance with judicial directives, specifically referencing the registration of the NDC and two other political associations following a court order.
The statement also acknowledged INEC’s principled stance in filing an affidavit opposing suits aimed at deregistering certain opposition parties, as well as its adherence to court rulings regarding leadership disputes in other political blocks, such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
However, the NDC issued a stern warning against what it described as “desperados and mercenaries” masquerading as political leaders to undermine the nation’s democratic structures.
”Our multi-party democracy must not be allowed to die. Despite the evident imperfections within our public institutions—including INEC, the judiciary, and our security agencies—all true leaders must remain united in preserving the institutional neutrality that safeguards our democracy and national integrity,” the statement concluded.
With the appeal and restraining applications formally served, the NDC stated that the responsibility now rests on the judiciary to uphold statutory provisions and deliver substantial justice.
The legal battle involving the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) highlights the ongoing institutional friction between political associations, the judiciary, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over party registration and deregistration guidelines in Nigeria.
Under the provisions of the Electoral Act and Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), INEC is empowered to deregister political parties based on specific criteria, including failure to win at least 25 percent of votes cast in one state during a presidential election, or failure to win at least one seat in the National or State Assembly elections.
This constitutional window has historically led to sweeping deregistration exercises by INEC, notably in 2020 when the commission deregistered 74 political parties, a move that triggered protracted legal battles reaching the Supreme Court.
While the apex court affirmed INEC’s powers to deregister non-performing parties, separate legal challenges often arise when newly formed or newly registered parties face preemptive legal actions from rival political actors or structural disqualifications before they have had the full opportunity to test their popularity in a general election cycle.
In this current dispute, the NDC secured its legal existence through a court judgment ordering INEC to register it alongside two other political associations. However, subsequent litigation aimed at nullifying that status led to the recent adverse court ruling which the party is now contesting at the Court of Appeal.
By filing a stay of execution alongside its notice of appeal, the NDC aims to maintain the status quo. This legal maneuver ensures that INEC cannot close its candidate nomination portal against the party or invalidate its primaries while the higher court reviews the legality of the lower court’s judgment.
This development underscores the critical role the judiciary continues to play in determining the shape and diversity of Nigeria’s multi-party landscape ahead of forthcoming elections.