INEC PRESENTS CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION TO NIGERIA DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday formally presented the certificate of registration to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), one of the two political parties recently approved by the Commission.

The certificate was received on behalf of the party by Barrister Reuben Egwuaba, who described the moment as the culmination of a long and challenging journey that began in 2017, when NDC first applied for registration.

Speaking shortly after receiving the certificate from Barrister Joan Arabs, Egwuaba said, “Today’s event marks NDC’s official entry into the competition for democratic leadership and the contest for power in ways that will make Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora, proud.”

He recalled that NDC had initially been denied registration by INEC, which cited a perceived similarity between its logo and that of the All Progressives Congress (APC). NDC was also excluded from the final stage of the Commission’s screening process.

“The reason given by INEC for refusing registration was clearly unfounded, and subsequent court rulings affirmed that our logo was distinct and the other cited association was not even a registered entity,” Egwuaba explained.

The party challenged INEC’s decision in court, which ultimately directed the Commission to register NDC, ruling in favor of the party. Egwuaba expressed gratitude to the judiciary, saying, “The court upheld truth, justice, and fairness, reaffirming that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man in a democracy.”

With the certificate in hand, NDC is now officially positioned to participate in elections and contribute to Nigeria’s democratic process.