The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to provide the access code required to upload its candidates’ details to the commission’s nomination portal, following the court ruling affecting the party’s registration.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declined its request for the access code needed to upload the names and particulars of its candidates to the commission’s nomination portal for the 2027 general election. The development comes amid the ongoing legal dispute over the party’s registration.
According to the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, NDC officials approached INEC to obtain the portal access code but were informed that the commission would get back to them. He said the party’s inability to upload candidates was a result of not receiving the required credentials from the electoral body rather than any failure on the party’s part.
The allegation follows the Federal High Court judgment that set aside an earlier ruling compelling INEC to register the NDC as a political party. The court decision has created uncertainty over the party’s legal status as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.
INEC had earlier announced that access codes for uploading candidates would be issued to authorised national officers of registered political parties in line with the 2027 election timetable. However, the NDC maintains that it has not received the credentials needed to complete the nomination process.
Osa Director said the party intends to return to INEC while simultaneously seeking legal relief to prevent the implementation of the court judgment affecting its registration. He expressed confidence that the party would file a stay of execution as it challenges the ruling. At the time of reporting, INEC had not publicly responded to the specific allegation that it withheld the NDC’s access code.
The NDC’s latest allegation adds another dimension to the legal and administrative issues surrounding the party’s participation in the 2027 electoral process, with the outcome likely to depend on both judicial proceedings and INEC’s subsequent actions.