By Our Reporter
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has released the access code for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, to upload its candidates for the 2027 general elections.
This was confirmed on Monday by the national leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson.
Recall that, earlier, it was reported that the judgement of a Federal High Court in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, ital had thrown the NDC into confusion after it withdrew the earlier judgement that led to the party’s registration.
The opposition party had also cried out over the weekend that it was denied access to the code for uploading candidates.
However, in a latest update, Dickson confirmed that the access code had been released and Mr Peter Obi has been uploaded as the presidential candidate of the party.
He also disclosed that the party had 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, instructing them to act in accordance with the law and what is legally sensible.
The statement by Dickson reads further: “The Nigeria Democratic Congress has come to stay and remains a duly registered party in Nigeria which has participated in all the political processes so far, and, as I said yesterday, 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.
“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.
“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.
“As National Leader, I must also thank all aspirants and those who indicated interest in various offices. As they know, only one person can emerge victorious in the primaries, no matter how well conducted. The processes were not perfect, but we have tried to resolve these differences within this short period, for a new party dealing with such a high volume of aspirants in a direct primary situation managed by stakeholders in every state and by party leaders.
“The reconciliation processes have started, and we expect them to reach everyone, to complement what the leadership and I have continued to do. 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.
“Congratulations to all NDC candidates, members, and all Nigerians and lovers of 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.
“We thank Nigerians for their solidarity, support, and prayers.
“We also thank INEC, led by Professor Joash Amupitan, for their professionalism so far, and we expect them to continue on this path, and they will have the understanding of us all.
“While we are thanking him for his actions in registering the NDC and two other parties as directed by the court, I also note his stance in filing an affidavit in opposition to the suit to deregister some opposition parties, and in reversing the non-recognition of the chairmanship of David Mark of the ADC as directed by the court.
“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.
“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.”