The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says it will challenge the Federal High Court ruling that set aside an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register it as a political party, insisting that it remains legally recognised and has not been deregistered.
The party disclosed this in a statement on Friday following the ruling by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which vacated the court's December 10, 2025 judgment after finding that the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed ownership of the logo relied upon in the registration process, was not joined in the original suit.
Reacting to the decision, the NDC described the ruling as flawed and announced that it had instructed its legal team to immediately file an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
"There was no order directing our deregistration. We are dissatisfied with the decision and have instructed our team of lawyers to immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge the jurisdiction and propriety of His Lordship's order," the statement said.
The party maintained that it was validly registered by INEC following the court's December 2025 judgment and has since participated in the country's electoral process.
According to the NDC, it has conducted ward, local government, state and national congresses, held national conventions, registered members nationwide and participated in INEC activities, including the recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states.
The party also said it has concluded primary elections for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential positions and is preparing to submit the names of its candidates to INEC in line with the electoral timetable.
The NDC questioned the legal standing of the Peace Movement Party, describing it as an unregistered association that is neither participating in the current political process nor seeking registration under the ongoing exercise.
It also argued that the Federal High Court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment in December 2025 and therefore lacked jurisdiction to revisit the matter through what it described as a motion filed by the applicant.
The party further contended that any person dissatisfied with the earlier judgment ought to have appealed the decision within the period prescribed by law rather than seeking to set it aside through a fresh application.
Despite the latest ruling, the NDC reassured its members, supporters and candidates that its activities would continue pending the determination of its 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. We have no doubt that justice will be done," the statement added.
The party also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to use the judiciary to restrict Nigeria's democratic space and vowed to continue pursuing its participation in the 2027 general elections through the legal process.
Friday's statement follows the Federal High Court's decision setting aside its earlier judgment and directing that all necessary parties be joined before the substantive suit is determined afresh.
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