TDThe National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Henry Seriake Dickson, has announced that the party has filed an appeal and an application for a stay of execution following a recent court ruling affecting its status.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, Dickson said the appeal and accompanying application had been served on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He urged the electoral body to “do what is right according to law and what is legally sensible.”
According to him, the NDC remains a duly registered political party and has participated in all electoral processes conducted so far.
Candidate Uploads to INEC Portal Ongoing
Dickson said the party had concluded its nomination processes nationwide and that candidates had already emerged through primaries observed and monitored by INEC.
He disclosed that the names of the party’s presidential candidate and himself had already been uploaded to the INEC portal.
Meanwhile, the vice-presidential candidate’s details would be uploaded after the completion of the required documentation.
He added that the submission of candidates for other elective offices was also progressing in line with the electoral timetable.
According to Dickson, the party has until July 11 to upload candidates for National Assembly elections and until July 17 to submit the names of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates.
“There is enough time for all candidates’ names to be submitted to INEC, and there is no reason for anyone to panic,” he stated.
Reconciliation Efforts Underway
The former Bayelsa State governor acknowledged that the party’s primary elections were not without challenges but said reconciliation efforts had already begun.
He thanked aspirants who participated in the nomination process.
He assured those who were unsuccessful that they would remain integral to the party’s campaign structures and leadership.
Dickson described party members and aspirants as the grassroots strength and backbone of the NDC.
Calls for Protection of Democratic Institutions
Dickson urged political leaders to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic institutions, including INEC, the judiciary and security agencies, stressing the importance of preserving their neutrality.
He also commended INEC for what he described as its professionalism, particularly in complying with court directives to register the NDC and two other political parties.
According to him, INEC opposed litigation seeking to deregister opposition parties, and recognising the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in line with a court order.
Judiciary Asked to Decide Appeal
Dickson said that with the appeal and stay of execution application now before the courts, the judiciary should determine the matter in accordance with the law.
He concluded by expressing confidence in the party’s future and reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
