By Ahmed Yusuf, Abuja
National News – The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to grant it the access code required to upload its candidates for the 2027 general elections, despite a formal request.
Speaking in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the NDC had approached the electoral commission for the code but had not received any response.
“We have approached INEC, but they are yet to respond to our request. We also expect to be in court today to file for a stay of execution of the Federal High Court judgment delivered in Lokoja,” he said.
The development follows Friday’s ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, directing INEC not to recognise the NDC as a political party pending the resolution of legal disputes surrounding its registration.
The court had earlier vacated its December 2025 judgment that ordered INEC to register the party after an association, the Peace Movement Party (PMP), challenged the use of the logo under which the NDC secured its registration.
Rejecting the ruling, NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, maintained that the party remains legally recognised and has commenced steps to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Zuwoghe argued that the judgment did not order the deregistration of the party and therefore does not invalidate its legal status.
He expressed confidence that the NDC would participate fully in the 2027 general elections, insisting that its presidential candidate, Peter Gregory Obi, vice-presidential candidate and other contestants would remain on the ballot.
According to him, the party secured its registration after a Federal High Court judgment in December 2025 upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association and directed INEC to register it.
He said since then, the party had conducted congresses and conventions at various levels, held primary elections in line with INEC’s timetable and participated in recent by-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states.
The NDC also disclosed that it had completed the nomination of candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections ahead of the 2027 polls.
The party argued that the Peace Movement Party is neither a registered political party nor an association currently undergoing registration with INEC, adding that the Federal High Court had already resolved issues relating to the party’s name, logo and colours in its earlier judgment.
Describing the latest ruling as legally unsustainable, Zuwoghe alleged that it was part of efforts to weaken opposition parties, but expressed confidence that the appellate courts would overturn the decision.
He urged party members to remain calm and continue their political activities while encouraging Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), participate in elections and defend their votes.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC had not publicly responded to the NDC’s allegation that it was yet to receive the candidate nomination access code.
