BREAKING: INEC has denied us candidate upload access code – NDC reveals

The National Democratic Coalition (NDC) has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declined its request for the access code required to upload the names of its candidates to the commission’s nomination portal as the party prepares to challenge a recent court judgment ordering its deregistration.

The development comes after a Federal High Court directed INEC to deregister the NDC, a ruling that has created uncertainty over the party’s legal status and its participation in future elections.

Speaking on the matter, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the NDC approached INEC to obtain the access code needed to complete the online submission of its candidates but was unable to secure it.

According to him, officials of the electoral commission informed the party that they would “get back” to them, leaving the NDC unable to complete the mandatory upload before the court’s deregistration order.

“We approached INEC to collect the access code to upload the names of our candidates to the INEC portal. They told us that they will get back to us,” he said.

Director argued that the party’s inability to upload its candidates should not be interpreted as a failure on its part, insisting that the delay resulted from INEC’s refusal to provide the required access credentials.

He disclosed that the party would return to the commission to make another request while simultaneously taking legal steps to suspend the enforcement of the court judgment.

“We will go back there by tomorrow. I believe by tomorrow we must have filed a stay of execution in court,” he stated.

According to him, the party’s legal team has already begun the process of filing a stay of execution to prevent the immediate implementation of the judgment pending the determination of its appeal.

The Federal High Court’s decision to deregister the NDC has sparked debate over the party’s political future and its eligibility to sponsor candidates in future elections.

The judgment has also renewed attention on the legal and administrative processes governing political party registration and participation in Nigeria’s electoral system.

Should the court grant the party’s application for a stay of execution, the status quo may be maintained until the appeal is determined. However, unless such relief is granted, the deregistration order is expected to remain in force.

The dispute also raises broader questions about the relationship between judicial decisions and electoral administration, particularly where political parties are required to meet statutory deadlines for candidate nominations while litigation is ongoing.

Director maintained that the NDC would pursue all available legal remedies to overturn the judgment and protect the rights of its members and supporters.

The outcome of the planned court action is expected to determine whether the NDC can retain its legal status and continue participating in Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of future elections.

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