JUST IN: NDC confirms Obi, Kwankwaso uploaded on INEC portal

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Nigeria’s leading opposition party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has sought to reassure its supporters following a Federal High Court judgment ordering its deregistration, insisting that its appeal is underway and that it remains on course to participate in the 2027 general elections.

The party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, announced on Tuesday that the names of the NDC’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have been successfully uploaded on the Independent National Electoral Commission (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,” Dickson said.

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In a separate statement issued on Tuesday, the party confirmed that Dickson held a strategic meeting with Kwankwaso in Abuja as part of ongoing consultations ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The NDC said the meeting reaffirmed the party’s determination to pursue its political agenda despite the legal challenge.

“We are pleased to confirm that Senator Kwankwaso’s name has been successfully uploaded on the INEC portal as the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the NDC for the 2027 Presidential Election,” the party said.

“The party remains focused and committed to the task ahead. We are OK.”

Also on Tuesday, Kwankwaso, in a personally signed statement, confirmed the meeting with Dickson, describing it as another step in strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 polls.

“I was delighted to welcome my brother and National Leader of our great party, the NDC, His Excellency Henry Seriake Dickson, to my residence in Abuja,” he said.

Kwankwaso disclosed that he briefed the former Bayelsa State governor on his recent consultations across the North-West geopolitical zone.

“I took the opportunity to brief him on the highly productive engagements and consultations I have undertaken across the North-West states, which have yielded very encouraging results,” he stated.

According to Kwankwaso, Dickson also confirmed the successful submission of his nomination to the electoral commission.

“His Excellency Dickson confirmed the successful submission of my candidacy and also announced that my name has been duly uploaded on the INEC portal as the Vice-Presidential candidate to His Excellency Peter Obi on the platform of our party.”

“We remain steadfast, united, and fully focused on the mission ahead,” Kwankwaso added.

The Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, last Friday ordered the deregistration of the party following a dispute over its victory sign logo.

The judgment has attracted criticism from several opposition figures, who argue that the decision lacks legal merit and could undermine political pluralism ahead of the 2027 elections.

Also reacting to the ruling, NDC chieftain Buba Galadima called for disciplinary action against the trial judge, alleging that conflicting court orders threaten Nigeria’s democratic process.

Speaking on the Arise Television Morning Show monitored in Lagos on Tuesday, Galadima said judicial officers who issue what he described as conflicting injunctions should be sanctioned to deter similar actions in the future.

He warned that inconsistent judicial decisions could erode public confidence in the judiciary and disrupt the country’s democratic development.

The NDC has already filed an appeal challenging the Lokoja court’s ruling and insists it remains a legally recognised political party pending the determination of the appellate process.