The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has continued its preparations for the next phase of the electoral process after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) restored the party’s access to its candidate nomination portal. The development comes despite an ongoing legal dispute over the party’s status, allowing it to submit the names of candidates in line with the electoral timetable.

In a statement shared on his X account on Tuesday, the party’s national leader, Seriake Dickson, said the restoration followed the filing of a notice of appeal and an application for a stay of execution against last week’s judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja. According to him, the legal documents were served on the electoral commission with a request for the commission to act within the provisions of the law.

Dickson maintained that the NDC remains a duly registered political party and said its primaries were conducted under the supervision of INEC. He disclosed that the party had already uploaded his name and that of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the commission’s portal, while the submission of the vice-presidential candidate’s details would follow after the completion of the required documentation. He added that the process for other candidates was also underway.

The former Bayelsa State governor urged party members to remain calm, noting that there was still enough time to complete all nominations before the deadlines set by the electoral commission. According to him, National Assembly candidates can be submitted until the 11th of next month, while nominations for governorship and state House of Assembly candidates remain open until July 17.

Dickson also appealed to aspirants who were unsuccessful during the party’s primaries to support its activities ahead of the elections. He said reconciliation efforts had begun and assured members that those who contested for tickets would continue to play active roles in the party’s campaign structures and other political activities.

The latest development highlights that the legal challenge over the NDC’s status is continuing alongside the administrative process of candidate nominations. While the party insists it remains legally recognised pending the outcome of its appeal, it has called on the judiciary to determine the matter in accordance with the law as the electoral process moves forward.