NDC Rejects Court Ruling, Heads to Appeal Over INEC Recognition

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected Friday's Federal High Court ruling setting aside the judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register it as a political party, insisting it remains recognised and will immediately challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

In a statement issued shortly after the ruling, the party described the judgment delivered by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja as surprising and legally questionable, maintaining that it had not been deregistered.

"The NDC has not been deregistered and we are challenging today's order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible," the party said.

The ruling followed an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which argued that it was not joined in the original suit despite claiming ownership of the logo the NDC used during its registration process.

Justice Dashen subsequently set aside the court's December 10, 2025 judgment that directed INEC to register the NDC, restored all parties to the position they occupied before that judgment and ordered that the substantive suit begin afresh with all necessary parties joined.

Reacting to the development, the NDC questioned the legal basis of the decision, arguing that the PMP is neither a registered political party nor an association participating in Nigeria's current political process.

"The association that filed the complaint is unknown to us. The Peace Movement Party (PMP) is not a registered political party in Nigeria," the statement said.

The party also argued that the court had already delivered a final judgment in the matter and had become functus officio, making it inappropriate to revisit the case in the manner it did.

According to the NDC, it has already established political structures nationwide since obtaining registration through the earlier court order.

The party said it had registered members, conducted congresses from ward to national levels, held its national convention, organised primary elections and participated in bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states.

It added that it had nominated candidates for governorship, National Assembly, presidential and vice-presidential elections and was preparing to submit their names to INEC in line with the electoral timetable.

The NDC stressed that Friday's ruling did not expressly direct INEC to deregister the party and assured its members and candidates that its political activities would continue uninterrupted pending the outcome of the appeal.

"We assure the general public and particularly our candidates at all levels, that our party is on course," the statement added.

The party also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to weaken political opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

"We condemn efforts by those who seek to shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices and alternatives," it said.

Background

Friday's ruling effectively nullified the legal basis upon which INEC recognised the NDC after the Federal High Court held that the earlier judgment was reached without hearing all parties whose interests could be affected.

Justice Dashen ruled that the Peace Movement Party, which claims prior ownership of the disputed logo, was a necessary party to the proceedings and should have been joined before the court delivered its December 2025 judgment.

The court consequently ordered that the substantive suit be heard afresh, with INEC, the NDC and the PMP participating in the proceedings.

The NDC's appeal means the legal dispute over its recognition is now expected to move to the Court of Appeal.