Dickson Confirms NDC Has Filed Appeal, Says Party Remains Legally Registered, Uploading Candidates To INEC

The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has confirmed that the party has filed a notice of appeal alongside an application for a stay of execution following the recent court ruling challenging its registration.

Speaking on Monday, June 29, 2026, Senator Dickson said the appeal and accompanying applications had been served on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant officials, urging the electoral body to act in accordance with the law.

According to him, the NDC remains a duly registered political party and has participated in all electoral processes leading up to the 2027 general elections.

 "Today, the NDC has filed an appeal against the ruling as well as a stay of execution, 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," Dickson said.

The former Bayelsa State governor stated that the party had successfully concluded its nomination processes nationwide, with candidates emerging through primaries that were observed, monitored and documented by INEC.

He disclosed that the party had already been granted access to the INEC candidate nomination portal and had commenced the upload of candidates' details.

"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," he said.

Dickson noted that the party remained fully compliant with the electoral timetable, adding that there was sufficient time to complete the submission of candidates for all elective offices.

He explained that nominations for National Assembly candidates would continue until July 11, while submissions for governorship and State House of Assembly candidates would close on July 17, in line with the INEC schedule.

The NDC leader urged party members and supporters to remain calm, stressing that there was no cause for panic despite the ongoing legal proceedings.

He also commended aspirants who participated in the party's primaries, acknowledging that while the process was not without challenges, efforts were already underway to reconcile aggrieved members and strengthen party unity.

"The reconciliation processes have started and we expect them to reach everyone. We assure all those who expressed interest that they will be carried along in the party's campaigns, committees and structures because they constitute the grassroots strength and backbone of our party," Dickson stated.

Senator Dickson expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their continued support and reaffirmed the party's commitment to protecting Nigeria's democratic system.

He also commended INEC for what he described as its professionalism, particularly in registering the NDC and other political parties in compliance with court directives.

> "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 concluded by expressing confidence that the judiciary would determine the matter in accordance with the law, noting that the party had fulfilled its legal obligations by filing and serving the appeal.

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 added.