Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has insisted that it remains a legally registered political party despite a recent Federal High Court judgment in Lokoja, Kogi State, saying it has already appealed the ruling and commenced uploading its candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday at the party’s headquarters in Jos, Plateau State Chairman of the NDC, Comrade Solomon Ndam, said the party had filed a notice of appeal alongside an application for stay of execution and injunction against the June 26 judgment, which he alleged was obtained by a group known as the Peace Movement Party.
According to him, the legal processes have been served on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging the electoral umpire to act in accordance with the law.
“The good news is that there is no order of court to deregister the NDC. More importantly, our party has been given the access code to upload its candidates, which began yesterday with our presidential candidate in line with the INEC timetable,” Ndam said.
He added that the party has until July 11 to upload candidates for the National Assembly elections, while governorship and state House of Assembly candidates are expected to be uploaded before the July 17 deadline.
Ndam recalled that the NDC secured its registration following a December 10, 2025 judgment of the Federal High Court, which directed INEC to register the party after finding that it had met all constitutional requirements.
He said the party subsequently embarked on nationwide membership registration, claiming to have enrolled more than 13 million members across the country.
According to him, the NDC has also conducted ward, local government, state and national congresses, as well as party primaries for state and federal legislative seats, governorship and presidential elections in compliance with INEC guidelines and the Electoral Act.
While expressing appreciation to INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), for what he described as professionalism, Ndam urged the commission to remain impartial in handling the party’s affairs.
“We thank the INEC Chairman for his professionalism so far, and we expect him to continue on this path,” he stated.
The NDC chairman, however, alleged that some political interests were using judicial processes to frustrate opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing what he described as internal crises and court cases involving several political parties.
He also called on civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association and the media to demand transparency regarding the group that instituted the suit against the NDC.
On Plateau State, Ndam criticised the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, alleging poor performance in infrastructure, security, agriculture and education, as well as the unresolved issue of sacked workers.
He said the NDC was prepared to offer what he described as a credible alternative for the people of the state ahead of the next general elections.
The party urged Nigerians and Plateau residents to support its vision, expressing confidence that it would provide better governance and equal opportunities for citizens.
