The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has appealed to supporters of the party, particularly members of the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya movements, to remain calm as the party challenges a court ruling that nullified its registration.
Kwankwaso made the appeal during an interview shared on X on Wednesday, assuring supporters that the party would pursue all available legal options to reverse the judgment.
His remarks come after Justice Isa H. Dashen of the Federal High Court, Lokoja Judicial Division, set aside the court’s earlier judgment of December 10, 2025, which had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC.
The court held that the earlier decision adversely affected the legal rights of the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the logo adopted by the NDC but was not joined as a party in the original suit.
Reacting to the development, Kwankwaso described the ruling as shocking, arguing that it was based on a suit filed by a group that is not a registered political party.
According to him, the NDC’s logo is clearly different from that of any existing political party and had already been scrutinized by the court before the initial judgment directing INEC to register the party.
He noted that INEC did not appeal the December 2025 judgment and instead proceeded to recognize the NDC, attending its congresses, national convention, and special convention.
“Anyone who examines the logo submitted to INEC, which features a victory sign with fingers, will see that it is entirely distinct from that of the APC. The court rightly ruled last December that there was no significant similarity to justify rejecting our registration,” Kwankwaso said.
He expressed surprise that the same court later reversed its decision following a suit by what he described as an unregistered and unknown group.
“It was a very huge shock to us and to many well-meaning Nigerians that the same judge would reverse himself because of people who are not representing any registered political party or recognised organisation in the country,” he added.
Kwankwaso disclosed that the NDC has resolved to challenge the judgment in court, seeking a stay of execution and filing an appeal to restore the party’s registration.
He urged supporters across the country not to lose hope, expressing confidence that the legal process would ultimately favour the party.
“We are law-abiding citizens, and we have decided to return to court immediately. We believe justice will prevail. I want to appeal to our supporters across the country, especially members of the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya movements, to remain calm and await the outcome of the legal process,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the commission is awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before taking any official action.
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