NDC Rejects Court Deregistration Blow, Set To File Appeal Monday

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), on Friday rejected the judgement of a Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which set aside an earlier ruling compelling the Independent National Electoral

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), on Friday rejected the judgement of a Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which set aside an earlier ruling compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.

The court in the judgment delivered by Justice Isah Dashen, nullified the December 10, 2025, ruling that had directed INEC to register the NDC, following an application brought by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which argued that it was not joined in the original proceedings despite having a legal interest in the matter.

The Judge held that all parties with vested interests ought to have been given the opportunity to participate in the case and consequently ordered that the matter be heard afresh with the relevant parties properly joined.

But the National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Moses Cleopas and National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, at a press briefing in Abuja, vowed to file an action to appeal the judgement on Monday.

Cleopas said there was no order directing NDC’s deregistration, saying that the party is dissatisfied with the decision that had been made.

He said the party has instructed its team of lawyers to immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge the jurisdiction and propriety of order.

He said, “Our attention has been drawn to a ruling by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja this morning, wherein His Lordship, Honourable Justice Isah Dashen, gave a ruling on an application filed by an unregistered association known as Peace Movement Party.

“The public knows that by December 2025, the Nigeria Democratic Congress as an association complained of INEC’s refusal to register us as a political party, whereupon we proceeded to the Federal High Court. The Federal High Court upheld our constitutional right to freedom of association under the Constitution and compelled INEC to register us, which INEC did.

“Since then, we have started political activities, embarked on the registration of members, held congresses from ward to national levels, held conventions, and concluded primaries to all offices following INEC’s timetable. We have been fully participating in all INEC activities without let or hindrance.

“NDC also fielded candidates, and fully participated, in the just-concluded bye elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states.Candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, Presidential, and Vice-Presidential positions have been duly nominated, and we are in the process of formally submitting them to INEC in accordance with INEC’s timetable.

“The association that filed the complaint is unknown to us. The Peace Movement Party (PMP) is not a registered political party in Nigeria. They claimed, in a motion (not even a substantive suit or appeal), that the Court should set aside its earlier judgment on the purported ground that, in 2015, they had sought registration as a political party with the victory sign as their symbol and were denied.

“It is important to note that they are not an association applying for registration now under the exercise that started last year. They are also not a registered political party in Nigeria participating in the political process now, as we are.

“Furthermore, the court, having delivered a final judgment in our suit against INEC, had become functus officio. The court had also dealt with all related issues concerning associations claiming they wanted to use the same symbol and colours. The court, in its judgment, overruled INEC when those issues were raised, and there is no appeal against that judgment.

“Therefore, we are surprised that, on an application by an association claiming that it wanted to register as a political party with the victory sign in 2015, an association that is not a registered political party and is not seeking registration now to participate in the current political process, His Lordship came to the conclusion that they have locus standi, and furthermore, that he has jurisdiction to do what he did.

“Accordingly, we have been informed that His Lordship made an order setting aside the court’s earlier decision of December 2025. There was no order directing our deregistration. However, we are dissatisfied with the decision that has been made, and we 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 NDC National Chairman assured the general public, particularly the party’s candidates at all levels, that NDC is on course.

He stressed that the NDC had not been deregistered, and it is challenging order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible, expressing believe that justice will be done.

“We condemn efforts by those who seek to shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices and alternatives. Nigerians have a right to a full range of opinions, ideas, and alternatives, and political platforms and candidates should be allowed to participate in the 2027 general election process, which has already gone midway.

“It is too late for anyone to attempt to use the judiciary to derail or narrow Nigeria’s multi-party democratic space. If the said association (Peace Movement Party) were a party affected by the judgment on our initial suit, the only option open to it was to appeal the verdict, an option which it did not take. Even at that, the window open for such appeal has since closed and any such appeal by now has become statute-barred.

“To now try to upturn that verdict through the back door, via a motion, is not only unheard-of, but also illegal and an outright abuse of court process.

“We thank Nigerians for their support, and we thank all our candidates, members and supporters for their confidence and trust in the party. We assure them that all nominations made remain valid, that our platform is strong and legal, and that justice will be served,” he added.

Cleopas said the recent attempts to deregister NDC is due to the desperation of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu who are jittery of the 2027 polls.

“Recent judicial developments affecting other political parties suggest an attempt to prevent viable opposition from participating in the democratic process. That effort will not succeed. Our candidates will participate in the forthcoming elections,” he added.

The National Chairman said the rapid growth of the NDC had unsettled the ruling party and its candidates.

“Within four months of registration, the NDC has emerged as a major opposition force. That naturally attracts political attention.