The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has appealed the deregistration ruling delivered by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja and filed an application for a stay of execution.
The National Leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, disclosed this on Monday, noting that the application for a stay of execution had been served on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, along with a covering letter urging him and his team “to do what is right according to law and what is legally sensible.”
Dickson expressed confidence that the NDC has come to stay and remains a duly registered political party in Nigeria, having participated in all the electoral processes so far.
He stressed that the party’s nomination processes had already been concluded and that, in the eyes of the law, candidates had emerged for all elective offices across the country through primaries observed, monitored and recorded by INEC.
“What is left is the administrative process of submitting the names to INEC, and we have been granted access to the portal to upload our qualified candidates.
“My name and that of the presidential candidate have been uploaded to the INEC portal, while that of the vice presidential candidate will be done tomorrow upon completion of the deposition. The process is also ongoing for other candidates,” he said.
The former Bayelsa State governor explained that, in accordance with the INEC timetable, which the NDC has strictly adhered to, the party has until July 11 to upload the names of its National Assembly candidates, while the deadline for governorship and State House of Assembly candidates is July 17.
Dickson assured the party’s candidates that there is sufficient time for their names to be submitted to INEC, emphasising that there is no reason for anyone to panic.
The National Leader expressed gratitude to all aspirants and those who indicated interest in contesting various elective offices.
“As they know, only one person can emerge victorious in primaries, no matter how well conducted. The processes were not perfect, but we have tried to resolve these differences within this short period, for a new party dealing with such a high volume of aspirants in a direct primary situation managed by stakeholders in every state and by party leaders,” he acknowledged.
He also confirmed that reconciliation efforts had commenced and expressed optimism that they would reach everyone, complementing the work that he and the party leadership have continued to undertake.
The Senator assured all those who expressed interest in contesting that they would be carried along in the party’s campaigns, committees and structures because they constitute the grassroots strength and backbone of the NDC.
He congratulated the party’s candidates, members, Nigerians and lovers of democracy, stating that multi-party democracy must not be allowed to die in the country.
Dickson maintained that the NDC would not allow what he described as desperadoes and mercenaries masquerading as political leaders to destroy Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy.
He thanked Nigerians for their solidarity, support and prayers, as well as the leadership of INEC for its professionalism so far.
He urged the electoral body to remain on that path in order to continue enjoying the confidence and support of Nigerians.
While thanking Amupitan for registering the NDC and two other political parties in compliance with the court’s directive, Dickson also commended his decision to file an affidavit opposing the suit seeking the deregistration of some opposition parties, as well as his reversal of the non-recognition of David Mark’s chairmanship of the ADC in line with a court order.
The Senator asserted that despite the imperfections of Nigeria’s institutions, including INEC, the judiciary and the security agencies, leaders must remain united in preserving the neutrality of the institutions that safeguard democracy and the nation’s integrity.
“Having filed and served our appeal and the accompanying applications, the ball is now in the court of the judiciary, and we expect the judiciary to do what is right under the law,” he added.
