The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to respond to its request for the access code required to upload the names of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development comes days after a Federal High Court in Lokoja ruled that INEC should not recognise the NDC as a political party pending the resolution of legal disputes surrounding its registration.
Speaking with journalists, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the NDC had already approached INEC for the access code but was still awaiting a response from the electoral commission.
“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 Federal High Court ruling,” he said.
The controversy follows a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which ordered INEC not to recognise the NDC until all legal issues relating to the party are resolved.
The same court had earlier set aside its December 2025 judgment that compelled INEC to register the NDC after an association known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP) claimed ownership of the logo used by the NDC during its registration process.
Despite the ruling, the NDC has insisted that it remains a legally recognised political party and has vowed to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, described the ruling as legally unsustainable, insisting that it did not amount to the deregistration of the party.
According to him, the judgment does not affect the party’s legal status or its preparations for the 2027 elections.
“Our candidates will be on the ballot. We remain a legally recognised political party and we are confident that justice will prevail,” Zuwoghe said.
He explained that the NDC secured its registration after a Federal High Court ruled in December 2025 that INEC should register the party following the commission’s initial refusal.
Since then, he said the party has conducted membership registration, ward, local government, state and national congresses, conventions and primary elections in line with INEC’s electoral timetable.
According to the chairman, the NDC has also participated in recent by-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has already produced candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections ahead of the 2027 polls.
The party argued that the Peace Movement Party is neither a registered political party nor an association currently seeking registration under INEC’s ongoing registration exercise.
It also maintained that the Federal High Court had already resolved issues relating to the party’s logo and colours in its earlier judgment and had become functus officio, meaning it could no longer reopen the same matter.
Responding to questions about the legal challenge, Zuwoghe said the party’s legal team would file the necessary appeal documents immediately.
“Our legal processes will be filed. Once they are filed, Nigerians will know who constitutes the legal team and who is leading it,” he said.
He further alleged that the latest court decision forms part of a broader effort to weaken opposition politics ahead of the next general election.
“Recent judicial developments affecting other political parties suggest an attempt to prevent viable opposition from participating in the democratic process. That effort will not succeed. Our candidates will participate in the forthcoming elections,” he stated.
Expressing confidence in the judiciary, the NDC chairman said the Court of Appeal would ultimately overturn the ruling.
“We still have faith in the Nigerian judiciary. 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 added.
Zuwoghe also insisted that the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, his running mate and all other NDC candidates would remain on the ballot for the 2027 general election.
He claimed the rapid growth of the party within a few months of registration had unsettled political opponents.
“Within four months of registration, the NDC has emerged as a major opposition force. That naturally attracts political attention,” he said.
The chairman disclosed that he had already visited INEC regarding the access code and planned to return to continue the process.
“This court ruling has not stopped our work. Immediately after this briefing, I am proceeding to INEC to continue the process of uploading our candidates,” he said.
He urged party members and supporters not to panic, insisting that the NDC would continue its campaigns while pursuing legal remedies.
“This is simply another attempt to intimidate us. There is no cause for panic. We remain firm, strong and committed to democracy,” he said.
The party also called on Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), reject vote-buying and participate actively in the democratic process, expressing confidence that its legal battle would end in its favour before the 2027 elections.
