NDC Rejects Court Verdict, Insists It Remains Registered, Heads to Appeal

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected Friday’s ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja setting aside an earlier judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register it as a political party, insisting that it has not been deregistered.

In a statement issued shortly after the ruling, the party described the decision as surprising, arguing that the court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment in December 2025. It noted that the latest ruling followed an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which it described as an unregistered association unknown to the NDC.

The party stated that following the December 10, 2025 judgment, INEC duly registered the NDC, enabling it to commence full political activities, including membership registration, ward, state and national congresses, conventions, and party primaries in line with the electoral timetable.

According to the party, it has since fielded candidates in recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections.

The NDC maintained that the court had already resolved issues relating to its logo and party colours in the earlier judgment. It further argued that the Peace Movement Party, which claims ownership of the victory sign adopted by the NDC, is neither a registered political party nor involved in the current political party registration process.

The party also dismissed reports suggesting that it had been deregistered, stressing that the court’s latest ruling did not expressly order its deregistration.

It disclosed that its legal team has been directed to immediately challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal, questioning both the jurisdiction of the trial court and the validity of the decision.

“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 further accused unnamed individuals of attempting to undermine Nigeria’s democratic space and suppress opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja had earlier on Friday set aside the court’s December 2025 judgment directing INEC to register the NDC.

The judge ruled that the earlier judgment affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party, which claims ownership of the logo adopted by the NDC but was not joined as a party in the original suit.

Reacting to the ruling, counsel to the Peace Movement Party, C.S. Ekeocha, said the decision restored all parties to the positions 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.