NDC: INEC Denied Access Code for Candidate Nomination

…Says it is yet to respond to us

…To be in Court today to file for a stay of execution of the Lokoja FHC ruling

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA – The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) said that it has requested an Access Code from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to download its candidates onto the commission’s portal, but has not yet received a response.

Speaking with Vanguard yesterday, the NDC’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said, “We have approached INEC but they are yet to respond to our request. Hopefully, we shall be in court tomorrow (today to file for a stay of execution of the Lokoja FHC ruling.”

On Friday, a Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, issued a judgment directing INEC not to recognise the NDC as a political party until all legal matters concerning the party are resolved.

The court had earlier set aside a December 2025 judgment that had required INEC to register the NDC, following an application by an association called the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed ownership of the logo used by the NDC in its registration.

The NDC rejected the court’s judgment last week, stating that it will appeal to the Court of Appeal.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, NDC National Chairman Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe criticised the judgment, asserting that the party remains legally recognised and will challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

According to him, the court’s latest decision did not order the party’s deregistration and therefore does not affect its status as a registered political party.

Flanked by other members of the NDC’s National Working Committee, Zuwoghe assured Nigerians that the party will appear on the ballot for the 2027 presidential and general elections.

The party said it approached the Federal High Court in December 2025 after INEC declined to register it, and the court upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association and ordered INEC to grant it registration.

Following its registration by INEC, the NDC has actively participated in the nation’s political process, including membership registration, ward, local government, state and national congresses, conventions, and primary elections conducted in line with INEC’s timetable.

The party has also fielded candidates in recent by‑elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has already nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice‑presidential elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The NDC argues that the Peace Movement Party is neither a registered political party nor an association currently seeking registration under INEC’s ongoing registration exercise, and that the Federal High Court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment in the matter and had already resolved issues relating to the party’s symbol and colours.

Answering questions from journalists, the National Chairman, who declined to disclose the leader of the party’s legal team until the appeal processes are filed, said, “Our legal processes will be filed by Monday. Once they are filed, Nigerians will know who constitutes the legal team and who is leading it.”

On the court ruling, Cleopas described it as legally unsustainable, saying, “In our opinion, this is one of the most unfortunate judicial decisions we have seen. It has no legal basis, and we are unaware of any judicial precedent that supports it.”

The NDC National Chairman alleged that the ruling is part of a broader effort to weaken opposition politics and reduce democratic competition, stating, “Recent judicial developments affecting other political parties suggest an attempt to prevent viable opposition from participating in the democratic process. That effort will not succeed. Our candidates will participate in the forthcoming elections.”

Expressing confidence in the appellate courts, he said, “We still have faith in the Nigerian judiciary. The Federal High Court is not the final court in the land. We will pursue this matter through the appellate process and are confident that justice will prevail.”

He assured supporters that the party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, his running mate, and all NDC candidates would remain on the ballot for the 2027 elections.

According to the National Chairman, the rapid growth of the NDC has unsettled the ruling establishment, adding, “Within four months of registration, the NDC has emerged as a major opposition force. That naturally attracts political attention.”

He maintained that the party’s legal position remained strong and disclosed that he had been at INEC the previous day and was scheduled to return after the briefing to obtain the party’s candidate‑upload code.

“This court ruling has not stopped our work. Immediately after this briefing, I am proceeding to INEC to continue the process of uploading our candidates,” he said.

The Chairman urged party members and candidates to remain calm and continue their campaigns, saying, “This is simply another attempt to intimidate us. There is no cause for panic. We remain firm, strong and committed to democracy.”

Calling on Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process, he urged citizens to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), vote according to their conscience, reject vote‑buying and defend their votes, adding, “Nigeria must be rescued through democratic means. We remain confident that justice will prevail and democracy will endure.”