Access code: Peter Obi’s name uploaded on INEC portal – NDC leader, Dickson 

Senator Seriake Dickson, National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), on Tuesday said the party had begun uploading the names of its candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal, revealing that the name of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had already been successfully submitted.

Dickson disclosed this while giving an update on the legal battle over the status of the NDC following last Friday’s judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which set aside its earlier decision that paved the way for the party’s registration by INEC.

The court had earlier ordered INEC to register the NDC, leading to its recognition as a political party on February 5, 2026. However, the latest ruling directed parties to revert to the position they occupied before the December 10, 2025 judgment, triggering uncertainty over the party’s legal status.

Addressing the development in a statement, Dickson said the NDC had appealed the ruling and filed a motion for stay of execution, adding that the documents had been served on INEC.

“Today, the NDC has filed an appeal against the ruling as well as a stay of execution, which has been served with a covering letter to the INEC Chairman and his team to do what is right according to law and what is legally sensible,” he said.

Insisting that the party remained legally recognised, Dickson argued that the primaries had been concluded under INEC’s supervision and that the nomination process remained valid.

“The Nigeria Democratic Congress has come to stay and remains a duly registered party in Nigeria. Nomination processes have already been concluded and, in the eyes of the law, candidates have already emerged from the party for all offices across the country in primaries observed, monitored and recorded by INEC,” he stated.

He disclosed that the party had already gained access to INEC’s candidate nomination portal.

“My name and that of the presidential candidate have been uploaded to the INEC portal, while that of the vice presidential candidate will be done tomorrow upon completion of the deposition. The process is also ongoing for other candidates,” Dickson said.

“In accordance with the INEC timetable, we have until July 11 to upload National Assembly candidates and until July 17 for governorship and State Assembly candidates.

“There is enough time for all candidates’ names to be submitted, and there is no reason for anyone to panic,” he added.

Dickson also acknowledged disagreements that trailed the party’s primaries but said reconciliation efforts had commenced.

“As they know, only one person can emerge victorious in primaries. The processes were not perfect, but we have tried to resolve these differences within this short period. The reconciliation processes have started and we expect them to reach everyone,” he said.

He assured unsuccessful aspirants that they would remain integral to the party’s campaign and organisational structures, describing them as “the grassroots strength and backbone of our party.”

Dickson also commended INEC for what he described as its professionalism in handling the matter and expressed confidence that the judiciary would resolve the dispute in accordance with the law.