2027: NDC accuses INEC of blocking candidate upload amid court battle

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of failing to grant it the access code required to upload its candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The party said it had formally approached the electoral commission for access to the nomination portal but was yet to receive any response.

NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, disclosed this while speaking on the party’s next move following last week’s Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja, Kogi State.

“We have approached INEC but they are yet to respond to our request. Hopefully, we shall be in court tomorrow to file for a stay of execution of the Lokoja FHC ruling,” he said.

The development comes after a Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja ordered INEC not to recognise the NDC as a political party pending the resolution of legal issues surrounding its registration.

The court had earlier set aside its December 2025 judgment which compelled INEC to register the NDC.

The latest ruling followed an application by the Peace Movement Party, PMP, which claimed ownership of the logo used by the NDC in securing registration.

But the NDC has rejected the ruling, insisting that it remains a legally recognised political party and would challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, said the ruling did not amount to deregistration and could not stop the party from preparing for the 2027 elections.

According to him, the NDC had already conducted congresses, conventions and primary elections in line with INEC’s timetable.

He said the party had also nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections.

Zuwoghe described the Lokoja ruling as legally unsustainable, saying the party would test it at the appellate court.

“The Federal High Court is not the final court in the land. We will pursue this matter through the appellate process and are confident that justice will prevail,” he said.

He also alleged that the legal moves against the NDC were part of a wider plot to weaken opposition politics ahead of 2027.

The party chairman further assured members and supporters that its presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, his running mate and other candidates would remain in the race.

“This court ruling has not stopped our work,” he said.

Zuwoghe urged party members to remain calm and continue their campaigns, saying the NDC would not be intimidated.

He also called on Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voter Cards, reject vote-buying and defend their votes in the next general elections.