The Nigeria Democratic Congress has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission to correct the omission of some of its candidates from published electoral lists, insisting that all affected aspirants completed their registration within the statutory deadline ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party’s National Chairman, Henry Seriake Dickson, said the NDC had taken steps to address the omissions and would not abandon its affected candidates, while urging supporters to continue political mobilisation and campaign activities across the country.
Dickson’s position puts pressure on INEC to clarify the status of the affected candidates, whose absence from the published lists could create uncertainty over their participation in the elections.
In a statement, the former Bayelsa State governor maintained that the affected candidates complied with the legal timeframe for registration, rejecting any suggestion that their omission resulted from late registration by the party.
“Our candidates and supporters are assured that the party has been working diligently and has taken adequate steps to address the cases of those whose names were not published by INEC a few days ago,” he said.
The NDC chairman insisted that all affected candidates had registered with the party before the statutory 21-day period required by law, urging the electoral commission to address what he described as an apparent omission.
“All affected candidates registered with the party before the statutory 21-day period required by law,” Dickson said.
He expressed confidence that INEC would correct the situation, adding that the party had presented candidates for elective positions across the country, from the presidential election to the State Houses of Assembly.
According to him, the candidates emerged through a screening process conducted by the party before their names were submitted for the electoral process.
“We urge INEC to remedy this apparent omission promptly. From the Presidential election to the State Houses of Assembly, the NDC has fielded qualified candidates who emerged through a rigorous and painstaking screening process. We are confident that INEC will correct this omission without delay,” he said.
The statement did not identify all the affected candidates, specify every state and constituency involved or provide details of the administrative and legal steps the party has taken to secure the publication of their names.
It also did not include a response from INEC confirming the alleged omissions or explaining the circumstances surrounding them.
The dispute comes as political parties organise their structures and prepare candidates for the 2027 elections. The publication of official candidate lists is a significant stage in the electoral process, as it informs voters and other stakeholders about the individuals nominated to contest for elective offices.
For candidates whose names are missing from the relevant lists, the issue could create uncertainty while the party seeks clarification or pursues available remedies. The eventual resolution will depend on the applicable electoral requirements and the commission’s response to the party’s concerns.
Dickson, however, urged party members not to suspend their political activities while the matter was being addressed, saying the omissions should not prevent the NDC from continuing its engagement with voters.
He directed party members to sustain consultations, town hall meetings, mobilisation and campaigns in their respective states and constituencies.
“In the meantime, consultations, town hall meetings, mobilisation, and campaigns should continue unabated in all states and constituencies,” he said.
The chairman also pledged that the party would continue pursuing the matter until it achieved what he described as a favourable outcome.
“We will continue to fight without giving up until we are victorious,” Dickson declared, ending his statement with the party’s slogan, “NDC all the way.”
The NDC’s demand now places the focus on the electoral commission’s handling of the reported omissions. A response from INEC would help establish whether the affected names were left out inadvertently, whether further documentation or clarification is required, or whether other issues need to be resolved.
Until the circumstances are clarified, the party’s assertion that all affected candidates met the deadline remains its stated position. The commission has not been quoted in the statement confirming the party’s account.
West Trybe reports that the dispute highlights the importance of accurate candidate lists and timely resolution of electoral complaints ahead of the 2027 elections. For the NDC, the immediate challenge is to secure clarification on the status of its affected candidates while sustaining its campaign preparations; for INEC, a clear response would help reduce uncertainty among candidates, party members and voters.
