Stay Of Execution: NDC Returns To Court Over Lokoja Ruling

The Nigeria Democratic Congress is heading to the Federal High Court today to seek a stay of execution of the Lokoja ruling that stripped it of recognition, even as the party accuses the Independent National Electoral Commission of withholding the access code needed to upload its candidates for the 2027 general election.

NDC National Publicity Secretary Osa Director said the party had formally approached INEC for the portal credentials but had received no response. “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. He insisted the party’s inability to upload its list was not its own failure but a result of the commission’s refusal to release the code.

INEC has rejected the claim. Its Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, questioned whether parties alleging denial had attended the commission’s training. “Any party claiming that they do not have the access codes, ask them if they were at the training on Thursday and Friday,” she said, adding that personnel were on standby to assist parties facing difficulties.

The standoff sits atop a deeper legal crisis. On Friday, June 26, 2026, Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja set aside the court’s earlier judgment that had directed INEC to register the NDC, holding that the December 2025 ruling affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the logo adopted by the NDC. The court found the PMP was not joined in the original suit and ordered the substantive case reheard after all necessary parties are properly joined.

Counsel to the applicant, C.S. Ekeocha, said the ruling returned all parties to the position they occupied before the December 10, 2025 judgment, effectively nullifying INEC’s recognition of the NDC, its certificate of registration and any appearance on ballot papers pending determination of the suit.

NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, has dismissed the decision as “legally unsustainable,” arguing that the court became functus officio after its final judgment and made no order for deregistration. He maintained the party remained legally recognised and that its candidates’ nominations stood.

The timing is severe. Under INEC’s revised timetable, the portal for presidential and National Assembly nominations opened at 9am on Saturday, June 27, and closes at 6pm on July 11, 2026, with governorship and state assembly uploads running later. The commission shifted the general release of access codes from June 26 to Monday, June 29. The exercise rests on Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires nominations not later than 120 days before the poll.

The party fielding Peter Obi as its presidential candidate and Rabiu Kwankwaso as running mate, the NDC emerged only after Obi left the African Democratic Congress in May. Obi has vowed to remain on the ballot, while party leader Seriake Dickson has urged candidates not to abandon the platform. The party says it will pursue the matter to the Court of Appeal.

Until a court grants the stay, the deregistration order stands, and the upload window keeps closing.