The Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday formally presented the certificate of registration to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, one of the two political parties recently approved by the Commission.
The party’s Protem National Legal Adviser, Barrister Reuben Egwuaba, received the certificate on behalf of NDC, describing the moment as a milestone that allows the party to join the political landscape in providing democratic leadership and contesting for power both domestically and for Nigerians in the diaspora.
Barrister Egwuaba recounted that NDC’s journey toward registration began in 2017, when the association first applied to INEC for recognition as a political party. “NDC was among the original 171 political organisations that applied for registration as political parties. After meeting all the requirements requested by INEC, NDC was denied registration at the last minute,” he said. The initial refusal, he noted, was premised on claims that the NDC logo and insignia closely resembled those of the All Progressives Congress, a claim Egwuaba said was untrue.
He explained that INEC maintained this position, excluding NDC from the list of the last 14 associations considered in the final stage of screening. In response, NDC challenged the decision in court, arguing that it was based on incorrect assumptions and an improper use of executive discretion by the Commission.
“The court not only upheld that the NDC logo was distinct from that of the APC, but that the second association initially cited as having a similar logo was not even a registered entity, let alone a political party,” Barrister Egwuaba said. Following these findings, the court directed INEC to register NDC, declaring the party officially recognised.
Egwuaba, who led the legal team representing NDC, expressed gratitude to the judiciary for upholding truth, justice, and fairness, stating, “We are, once again, reassured that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man. The judiciary did its job as it should, in a democracy.”
He also commended INEC, particularly its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, for promptly complying with the court order, noting that the Commission’s swift action demonstrates transparency and fairness in the leadership’s approach, which he said bodes well for freer and more credible elections.
“This is a victory not only for NDC, it is a victory for democracy, and for all Nigerians. We invite Nigerians to join the NDC. It is a new dawn. NDC is here, and we offer ourselves as an alternative platform for all Nigerians who are currently at the point of asphyxiation from the excesses of the ruling APC and bungling crowd of opposition parties,” Egwuaba stated.
He added that NDC is expected to be listed for participation in upcoming elections, including the 2027 general elections, with a formal unveiling of the party to follow soon.
