Rejoice As Peter Obi is Uploaded as Presidential Candidate of NDC

Supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) erupted in celebration Monday after the party confirmed that Mr. Peter Obi has been uploaded as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission granted the NDC access to its candidate upload portal, the party’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, said. He confirmed that Obi’s name and his own are now on the INEC portal.

The vice presidential candidate’s details will be uploaded on Tuesday upon completion of the required deposition, Dickson added.

The development comes days after the NDC raised alarm over being denied portal access. It also follows a Federal High Court judgment in Lokoja, Kogi State, which Dickson said “threw the NDC into confusion” after withdrawing an earlier ruling that enabled the party’s registration.

Dickson disclosed that the party has filed an appeal against the ruling and an application for stay of execution/injunction. Both have been served with a covering letter to the INEC chairman “to do what is right according to law and what is legally sensible.”

“Nomination processes have already been concluded and, in the eyes of the law, candidates have already emerged from the party for all offices across the country in primaries observed, monitored and recorded by INEC,” Dickson said.

He noted that INEC’s timetable sets July 11 as the deadline to upload National Assembly candidates, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly entries close July 17.

Dickson thanked aspirants from the NDC’s direct primaries and said reconciliation is underway to “carry along” those who did not emerge. “They constitute the grassroots strength and the backbone of our party,” he said.

He commended INEC, led by Professor Joash Amupitan, for “professionalism so far” and for registering the NDC and two other parties as directed by the court. He also cited INEC’s affidavit opposing a suit to deregister some opposition parties and its reversal of the non-recognition of David Mark as ADC chairman following a court directive.

“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,” Dickson said.

INEC had not issued a public statement on the matter as of the time of filing this report.