The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has announced that the party has formally appealed the recent court judgment affecting its status and has filed an application for a stay of execution and injunction, expressing confidence that the legal process will ultimately vindicate the party.
Dickson disclosed that the appeal and accompanying applications had already been served on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with a formal covering letter urging the electoral body to act strictly in accordance with the law while allowing the party to continue participating in the ongoing electoral process.
According to him, the NDC remains a legally registered political party in Nigeria and has fully complied with all electoral requirements stipulated by INEC, including the conduct of primary elections for various elective positions across the country.
“Today, the NDC has filed an appeal against the ruling as well as a stay of execution and injunction,” Dickson said.
“The processes have been served with a covering letter to the Chairman of INEC and his team, urging them to do what is right according to law and what is legally sensible.”
The former Bayelsa State governor maintained that the legal challenge does not invalidate the party’s participation in the current political process, insisting that all activities conducted by the NDC so far remain valid in the eyes of the law.
“The Nigeria Democratic Congress has come to stay and remains a duly registered political party in Nigeria,” he declared.
“We have participated in all political processes up to this point and, as I stated yesterday, our nomination processes have already been concluded.”
According to Dickson, candidates for all elective offices have already emerged through party primaries conducted across the federation under the supervision of INEC officials.
He noted that the primary elections were observed, monitored and officially recorded by the electoral commission, making them legitimate exercises under Nigeria’s electoral framework.
“In the eyes of the law, candidates have already emerged from the party for all offices through primaries observed, monitored and recorded by INEC,” he said.
He explained that the party had now entered the administrative phase of the electoral process, which involves uploading the names of successful candidates onto INEC’s nomination portal.
Dickson revealed that the commission had already granted the party access to the portal, enabling it to begin submitting the names of its candidates for the 2027 general elections.
“My name and that of our presidential candidate have already been uploaded to the INEC portal,” he disclosed.
“The name of our vice-presidential candidate will be uploaded tomorrow upon completion of the required documentation.”
He added that similar processes were ongoing for candidates seeking election into the Senate, House of Representatives, governorship positions and state Houses of Assembly.
According to the NDC leader, there is no reason for members or supporters to panic because the party remains well within the timetable established by INEC.
He explained that the electoral commission had fixed July 11 as the deadline for submitting the names of National Assembly candidates, while governorship and State House of Assembly candidates have until July 17 to complete their nominations.
“In accordance with the INEC timetable, which we have religiously complied with, we still have until the 11th of next month to upload the names of all National Assembly candidates,” he said.
“For governorship and State House of Assembly candidates, the deadline is July 17.”
“There is therefore sufficient time for all qualified candidates to be submitted to INEC. There is absolutely no reason for anyone to panic.”
Dickson also used the opportunity to appreciate the large number of party members who participated in the NDC’s primary elections across the country.
He acknowledged that, like every competitive political process, not every aspirant could emerge victorious despite their commitment and investment in the party.
“As National Leader, I wish to sincerely thank all aspirants and everyone who expressed interest in contesting for various elective offices,” he said.
“They understand that in every primary election, only one person can emerge as the candidate, no matter how transparent or well conducted the process may be.”
The former governor admitted that the party’s internal electoral process was not entirely free from challenges but argued that such difficulties were inevitable for a relatively new political party managing a nationwide direct primary election involving thousands of aspirants.
He explained that the primaries were organised simultaneously across the federation by party stakeholders and leaders in various states within a very limited timeframe.
“The processes were not perfect,” Dickson admitted.
“However, considering that we are a new political party dealing with a very large number of aspirants through direct primaries conducted by stakeholders across the states, we have done our best.”
To address concerns raised by unsuccessful aspirants, Dickson announced that reconciliation efforts had already commenced.
He said the party leadership had established mechanisms to engage aggrieved members and ensure that every stakeholder remained part of the NDC’s growing political family.
According to him, reconciliation committees are already reaching out to affected aspirants to complement ongoing consultations being led by the national leadership.
“The reconciliation process has begun, and we expect it to reach every member concerned,” he stated.
“This will complement the efforts that I and other leaders of the party have continued to make.”
He assured those who did not secure party tickets that they would still play significant roles during the electioneering campaign.
“Our assurance is that everyone who expressed interest in contesting will be fully carried along,” Dickson said.
“They will participate actively in our campaign structures, committees and other organs of the party because they represent the grassroots strength and the backbone of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Congratulating all candidates who emerged from the party’s primaries, Dickson also extended his appreciation to party members, supporters and Nigerians who have continued to stand with the NDC despite the legal uncertainties.
He described the support received from Nigerians as a demonstration of commitment to democratic values and political pluralism.
“Congratulations to all our candidates, our members and indeed all Nigerians who believe in democracy,” he said.
The NDC leader warned against any attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democratic system through politically motivated actions.
“Our multi-party democracy must not die,” he declared.
“We will not allow desperados and mercenaries parading themselves as political leaders to destroy our hard-earned democracy.”
Dickson also expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their solidarity, encouragement and prayers during the ongoing legal proceedings.
He commended the leadership of INEC under its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, for what he described as professionalism in handling recent electoral matters.
While thanking the commission for registering the NDC and two other political parties in compliance with previous court orders, Dickson also praised INEC’s decision to oppose legal attempts aimed at deregistering opposition parties.
He further acknowledged the commission’s recognition of the leadership of David Mark within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing it as another example of compliance with judicial directives.
Despite acknowledging existing challenges within Nigeria’s democratic institutions, Dickson urged all political actors to protect the neutrality and credibility of institutions responsible for safeguarding the country’s democracy.
He stressed that the judiciary, INEC and the nation’s security agencies must remain independent and insulated from political interference in order to preserve public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Having formally filed the appeal and all accompanying applications, Dickson said the matter now rests with the judiciary.
“The ball is now in the court of the judiciary,” he said.
“We expect the courts to do what is right under the law.”
He concluded by reaffirming his confidence in the future of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and Nigeria’s democratic system.
“Long live the Nigeria Democratic Congress,” he declared.
“Long live Nigerian democracy.”
