NDC to Appeal Court Judgment Nullifying Party Registration

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected a Federal High Court ruling that nullified its registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting it remains a legally recognised political party and will challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.

The party’s reaction followed Friday’s judgment by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which set aside its earlier December 10, 2025 ruling directing INEC to register the NDC.

Justice Isah Dashen held that the earlier judgment affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the logo used by the NDC but was not joined in the original suit. 

The court ordered all parties to return to their positions before the December judgment pending a fresh hearing with all necessary parties.

Reacting to the ruling, NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, said the party had instructed its legal team to immediately appeal the decision, arguing that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to overturn its own final judgment through a motion.

Cleopas maintained that the judgment did not order the party’s deregistration and assured members that preparations for the 2027 general elections would continue uninterrupted.

The ruling also drew criticism from the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who described it as another setback for Nigeria’s democracy. 

In a statement shared on his social media platforms, Obi said the decision weakened democratic institutions and urged Nigerians to defend the country’s democratic space.

The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the NDC caucus in the House of Representatives, the Obidient Movement and the Kwankwasiyya Movement also condemned the judgment, alleging it was part of efforts to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

The NDC House caucus vowed to challenge the ruling up to the Supreme Court if necessary, insisting the party would not be deregistered through what it described as judicial manipulation.

Despite the court’s decision, the NDC said it remains committed to pursuing its legal challenge while continuing political activities ahead of the 2027 polls.