In its reaction to the Party’s deregistration appeal update by National Leader, Henry Seriake Dickson, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) said, the Party is “moving forward strongly” following the upload of the names of Obi and Dickson on the INEC portal.
The NDC assured Nigerians, “no need to panic at all” as the Party will “surely be on the ballot in 2027”.
In his NDC deregistration appeal update via X, Dickson said, the appeal has been filed against the ruling and accompanied with a cover letter to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “do what is right according to law”.
The former Bayelsa State Governor made known, the NDC has been granted access to upload the names of its qualified candidates to the INEC portal. He said, his name and that of the Party’s Presidential candidate for the 2027 Presidential Election have been uploaded.
Dickson called on Nigerias to ensure the country’s “multi-party democracy must not die”, and that, “desperados” must not be allowed to parade themselves as Political Leaders and “destroy” Nigeria’s “hard-earned” democracy.
Via a Statement on Monday 29 June, 2026, National Leader of the NDC, Henry Seriake Dickson, 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, and, as I said yesterday, nomination processes have already been concluded and, in the eyes of the law, candidates have already emerged from the party for all offices across the country in primaries observed, monitored and recorded by INEC.
“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 upon completion of the deposition. The process is also ongoing for other 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.
“Congratulations to all NDC candidates, members and all Nigerians and lovers of democracy.
“Our multi-party democracy must not die. We will not allow desperados and mercenaries parading as political leaders to destroy our hard-earned democracy.
“We thank Nigerians for their solidarity, support and prayers.”
Dickson extended his gratitude to INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, for his “professionalism” and encouraged the Commission to “continue on this path”.
He charged INEC, the Judiciary and Security Agencies to come together and ensure Nigeria’s democracy is protected, as well as, the country’s integrity.
The Statement continues: “We also thank INEC, led by Professor Joash Amupitan, for their professionalism so far, and we expect them to continue on this path, and they will have the understanding of us all.
“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.
“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.”
Quoting and commenting on Dickson’s Statement, the NDC said: “The names of His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson and His Excellency Peter Obi have already been uploaded on the INEC portal.
“NDC is moving forward strongly. Our appeal has been filed.
“The NDC will surely be on the ballot in 2027.
“No need to panic at all.”
