Former Bayelsa governor insists party remains legally registered, reveals presidential ticket already on commission’s system as court battle rages.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has secured access to INEC’s candidate nomination portal, with its presidential ticket already uploaded, according to party National Leader Henry Seriake Dickson.
In a Monday statement on X, the former Bayelsa governor revealed that both his name and the party’s presidential candidate are now live on the electoral commission’s system, with the vice-presidential nominee set to follow Tuesday after completing statutory declarations.
This development comes as the NDC battles a recent court ruling threatening its status. Dickson confirmed the party has filed both an appeal and a stay of execution application, with papers already served on INEC’s chairman and commission.
“We remain a fully registered political party in Nigeria,” Dickson asserted. “Our primaries were conducted across the country, observed and recorded by INEC. Candidates have legally emerged for all offices.”
Dickson dismissed any urgency concerns, noting the commission’s timetable gives the party until July 11 for National Assembly candidates and July 17 for governorship and state assembly nominees. “There’s ample time nobody should panic,” he added.
The party leader acknowledged the primaries weren’t flawless but praised the process given the challenges of managing a newly registered party with numerous aspirants. He revealed reconciliation efforts are already underway to integrate unsuccessful contestants into campaign structures and committees.
“The grassroots remain our backbone everyone who showed interest will be carried along,” Dickson promised.
Striking a defiant tone, the former governor warned against forces he claimed were bent on destroying Nigeria’s multi-party system. “Our democracy must not die. We won’t allow desperados masquerading as leaders to destroy what we’ve built,” he declared.
Dickson commended INEC’s professionalism, particularly its compliance with court orders on NDC’s registration and its opposition to deregistration moves against other opposition parties. He urged political actors to protect the independence of the judiciary, INEC, and security agencies.
With the appeal now before the courts, Dickson expressed confidence in a fair hearing. “The ball is in the judiciary’s court we expect them to do what’s right under the law,” he concluded.
