The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected Friday’s ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja setting aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register it as a political party, insisting it has not been deregistered.
In a statement issued after the ruling, the party said it was surprised that the court reversed its December 2025 judgment following an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which it described as an unregistered association unknown to the NDC.
The NDC said that after the December 2025 judgment, INEC registered the party, enabling it to register members, conduct ward, state and national congresses, hold conventions, conclude primaries and field candidates in the recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states. It added that it has also nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections.
The party argued that the Federal High Court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment in the case against INEC and had already resolved issues relating to the party’s logo and colours. It also maintained that the PMP was neither a registered political party nor participating in the current registration process.
The NDC further stated that the latest ruling did not expressly order its deregistration, contrary to reports suggesting otherwise. It said its legal team has been directed to immediately challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
“We assure the general public, and particularly our candidates at all levels, that our party is on course. The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible,” the statement read.
The party also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to shrink Nigeria’s democratic space and suppress opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Justice Isah Dashen had earlier set aside the court’s December 2025 judgment, ruling that it affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the victory sign adopted by the NDC but was not joined as a party in the suit.
Counsel to the PMP, C.S. Ekeocha, said the ruling restored all parties to the position they occupied before the December 10, 2025 judgment and reversed all actions taken by INEC pursuant to that judgment, including the recognition and registration of the NDC, pending the final determination of the suit.
