*Others To Follow As INEC Releases Access Codes
*Positions Obi As Opposition Consensus Choice In Coalition Talks
THE Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has confirmed the release of Access Codes to it by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal, saying it had already uploaded the details of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the electoral body’s portal.
This followed NDC’s appeal against the ruling of a Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, voiding its earlier directive in December last year ordering INEC to register the party, as well as an application for stay of execution, the processes of which had been served on the INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, and the Commission.
National Leader of the party, Seriake Dickson, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, June 29, said NDC had been granted access to the INEC portal to upload the names of its candidates in line with the electoral timetable.
He stated: “Today, the NDC has filed an appeal against the ruling as well as a stay of execution/injunction, which has been served with a covering letter to the INEC chairman and his team to do what is right according to law and what is legally sensible.
“The NDC has come to stay and remains a duly registered party in Nigeria, which has participated in all the political processes so far, and, as I said yesterday, 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.
“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.
“In accordance with the INEC timetable, which we have religiously abided by, we have between now and the 11th of next month to upload all National Assembly candidates, while those of Governors and State Houses of Assembly will end on the 17th of July.
“So, there is enough time for all candidates’ names to be submitted to INEC, and there is no reason for anyone to panic.
“As national leader, I must also thank all aspirants and those who indicated interest for various 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.
“The reconciliation processes have started and we expect them to reach everyone, to complement what I and the leadership have continued to do. And we assure them that all those who expressed interest will be carried along in the party’s campaigns, committees and structures, because they constitute the grassroots strength and the backbone of our party.
“Congratulations to all NDC candidates, members and all Nigerians and lovers of democracy. Our multi-party democracy must not die. We will not allow desperados and mercenaries parading as political leaders to destroy our hard-earned democracy.
“We thank Nigerians for their solidarity, support and prayers. We also thank INEC, led by Professor Joash Amupitan, for their professionalism so far, and we expect them to continue on this path, and they will have the understanding of us all.
“While we are thanking him for his actions in registering the NDC and two other parties, as directed by the court, I also note his stance in filing an affidavit in opposition to the suit to deregister some opposition parties, and in reversing the non-recognition of the chairmanship of David Mark of the ADC, as directed by the court.
“Despite the imperfections of our institutions, INEC, the judiciary and security agencies, all leaders must be united to preserve the neutrality of the institutions that protect our democracy and our 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.”
Meanwhile, the party has indicated its readiness for opposition coalition negotiations, while insisting that Obi remains the best option to lead any united coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dickson, while confirming the party’s participation in ongoing discussions among opposition groups, expressed confidence that such engagements would ultimately strengthen support for Obi’s candidacy.
The former governor of Bayelsa State, speaking on a television programme, described coalition building as an inevitable phase in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape and no opposition party should rule out strategic alliances aimed at providing Nigerians with an alternative platform in next year’s general elections.
He said: “We are open to discussions within the opposition space and hopeful that such engagements will lead to support for our candidates, because we know the value they bring.”
