The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has announced that the party has formally filed an appeal and an application for a stay of execution against the recent court ruling affecting its registration.
Dickson said the appeal and accompanying application have been served on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging the electoral body to act in line with the law while the case is before the appellate court.
According to him, the NDC remains a duly registered political party in Nigeria and has participated in all electoral processes conducted so far. He stated that the party has already concluded its primary elections across the country, with candidates emerging for various elective offices under the supervision and monitoring of INEC.
He explained that what remains is the administrative process of uploading the names of the party’s candidates to the INEC portal. Dickson disclosed that his name and that of the party’s presidential candidate have already been uploaded, while the vice-presidential candidate’s details are expected to be uploaded after the completion of necessary documentation.
He added that the party remains within INEC’s timetable, noting that there is enough time to submit the names of National Assembly, governorship and State House of Assembly candidates before the deadlines.
Dickson also thanked party members and aspirants for their commitment throughout the primary process. He acknowledged that although the primaries were not perfect, reconciliation efforts have already begun to unite members ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He assured those who did not emerge as candidates that they would remain part of the party’s campaign structures and leadership, describing them as the backbone of the NDC.
The former Bayelsa State Governor thanked Nigerians for their support and also commended INEC for what he described as professionalism in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities. He expressed confidence that the commission would continue to act in accordance with the law.
Dickson maintained that the party has now placed the matter before the Court of Appeal and expressed confidence that the judiciary would determine the case based on the law.
The NDC leadership has consistently maintained that the party remains legally registered and has vowed to pursue all available legal options regarding the court ruling.
