The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has escalated its battle to remain on the ballot for the 2027 general election, announcing that it had already uploaded the details of its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal. NigeriaCurrent Affairs
The development came barely hours after the party filed an appeal and an application for a stay of execution against the judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which reversed the registration of the NDC.
In a post on his X handle, on Monday night, Dickson declared that despite the legal setback, the party remained a duly registered political platform and had already commenced the process of submitting the names of its candidates to the electoral body.
According to him, the appeal and stay of execution had been served on the INEC Chairman and other relevant officials.
He said: “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.
“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.” NigeriaCurrent Affairs
Dickson insisted that, in the eyes of the law, candidates of the party had already emerged through primaries that were “observed, monitored and recorded by INEC.”
He added: “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 (today) upon completion of the deposition. The process is also ongoing for other candidates.”
Dickson is representing Bayelsa West Senatorial Dickson.
The former Bayelsa State governor said there was no cause for alarm, noting that the party still had sufficient time within the electoral timetable to upload the names of all its 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,” he stated.
Dickson also disclosed that reconciliation efforts had begun following the conclusion of the party’s primary elections.
“As they know, only one person can emerge victorious in 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,” he said.
He assured aggrieved aspirants that they would be accommodated in the party’s campaign structures and committees.
“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 added.
The NDC leader, however, warned against any attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process. NigeriaCurrent Affairs
“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.
He also commended INEC for what he described as its professionalism in implementing court orders and maintaining neutrality.
“We thank INEC, led by Professor Joash Amupitan, for their professionalism so far, and we expect them to continue on this path.
“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 maintained that with the filing and service of the appeal and accompanying applications, the matter now rested with the judiciary.
“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 stated.
The NDC’s latest move signals its determination to remain in the race for the 2027 elections despite the legal challenge over its registration, setting the stage for what could become a major judicial and political battle in the months ahead.
Obi queries leaders’ priorities after completing INEC form
Obi has challenged Nigeria’s political leaders to reassess their priorities amid the country’s insecurity and economic challenge.
He spoke after completing his nomination which was uploaded to the INEC portal.
In a statement posted on his X handle yesterday, the former Anambra State governor said a question in the INEC form prompted him to reflect on the state of the nation and the conduct of its leaders.
According to him, the question, which asked whether he had ever been adjudged a lunatic or declared a person of unsound mind, raised deeper concerns about the priorities of Nigeria’s political class. NigeriaCurrent Affairs
“What truly should be our priority now as leaders of a nation?” Obi asked.
He said: “This question has become necessary given where we are today as a nation and where we are supposed to be.
“While completing my INEC nomination form yesterday, Section E, Question 1 caught my attention. It asks: ‘Have you ever been adjudged a lunatic or been declared a person of unsound mind?’ The answer is either Yes or No.
“That question got me thinking: Can we, as the political leaders of today’s Nigeria, truly say we are exhibiting characteristics of a sound mind?
“When our children are being abducted into the bushes, when citizens cannot travel safely on our highways, and when several million Nigerians are uncertain where their next meal will come from; when several billions are being siphoned frivolously through non-existent agencies and projects, should politics really be our primary preoccupation?”
“The survival of Nigeria should have been prioritised over the pursuit of political advantage,” he said. Politics
The NDC candidate also called for greater transparency in the electoral process, particularly regarding the credentials of candidates seeking public office.
Referring to another question on the INEC form which asked whether a candidate had ever presented a forged certificate to the commission, Obi urged INEC to make public the academic qualifications submitted by all aspirants.
He said: “This raises another important question: Why shouldn’t INEC, in the interest of ensuring that our leaders are exemplary in following the rules and for public confidence in our process, publish the academic certificates and credentials submitted by every candidate seeking elective office? Transparency strengthens democracy and builds public trust.”
Obi maintained that the country’s problems were too grave for “politics as usual” and called for leadership driven by competence, character, capacity, compassion and commitment to public service.
“Nigeria’s problems are too serious for politics as usual. It is time for leadership defined by competence, character, capacity, compassion and commitment to service. A new Nigeria is possible,” he added. NigeriaCurrent Affairs
