NDC lawmakers condemn court ruling voiding party registration, allege plot against opposition

NDC lawmakers condemn court ruling voiding party registration, allege plot against opposition

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in the House of Representatives has condemned a Federal High Court ruling that nullified the party’s registration, describing the judgment as “judicial coup” and an attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democratic system ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by the caucus leader, Afam Ogene, the lawmakers accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating what they called a deliberate effort to weaken opposition parties through the courts rather than through electoral competition.

The caucus was reacting to a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which set aside an earlier court order that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.

The lawmakers described the latest ruling as “a judicial coup against democracy,” insisting that it represented more than a mere legal error.

“For us and many Nigerians, this is not an error of law. It is an assault on democracy. This is a calculated pattern of judicial harassment,” the caucus said.

According to the lawmakers, the judgement forms part of a broader effort to use the judiciary to suppress political opposition and limit electoral choices available to Nigerians ahead of the next general election.

The caucus recalled a recent Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that ordered the deregistration of five political parties; the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party.

However, the Court of Appeal quickly intervened and stayed the execution of that judgment, criticising the lower court for proceeding despite an existing appellate court order.

As a result, the five parties remain registered pending the determination of their appeals.

The controversy surrounding the NDC’s registration dates back to earlier this year when the party secured a court judgement directing INEC to register it as a political party.

Following that judgement, INEC listed the NDC among recognised political parties, a development that immediately generated opposition from several political associations seeking registration.

Among the challengers was the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), which questioned the legality of the NDC’s registration process.

The challengers argued that the NDC failed to comply with statutory requirements for political party registration. They alleged that the party did not properly complete its application through INEC’s designated registration portal and failed to submit critical documents required under the law, including its manifesto and other supporting materials.

Subsequently, the matter returned to the Federal High Court in Lokoja.

In its latest ruling, the court vacated its earlier judgement that compelled INEC to register the NDC, effectively withdrawing the legal foundation upon which the party’s recognition was based.

The decision means the NDC is currently not recognised as a registered political party and cannot sponsor candidates for any election unless it secures a fresh registration from INEC or successfully overturns the ruling on appeal.

The judgment also relieves INEC of any legal obligation to maintain the party’s registration.

The ruling effectively returns the NDC to the starting point of the registration process, leaving the party with two options: satisfy all registration requirements laid down by INEC and apply afresh, or challenge the judgement at the Court of Appeal and possibly the Supreme Court.

Reacting, the NDC caucus rejected the ruling, arguing that the legal challenge was improperly brought and should not have succeeded.

The lawmakers maintained that the statutory 90-day period within which the party’s registration could be challenged had long expired.

They also questioned why INEC, which they described as the constitutionally recognised authority on political party registration, was not the principal party seeking the reversal of the earlier judgment.

“The 90-day statutory window to challenge our party’s registration closed long ago,” the caucus said.

The lawmakers further accused the litigants of engaging in what they termed “forum shopping,” alleging that the case was returned to the same court that had originally ordered the registration of the NDC.

“This was not an appeal. The matter was surreptitiously returned to the same court that earlier ordered INEC to register the NDC. That is not jurisprudence; rather, it is lawfare, the weaponisation of the judiciary against political opponents,” the statement added.

The caucus also questioned the timing of the judgement, noting that it came on the same day INEC was expected to commence a critical phase of preparations for the 2027 elections by opening its portal and issuing access codes to political parties for candidate nominations.

According to the lawmakers, the coincidence raises concerns about the motives behind the ruling.

“To target the NDC at the precise moment the electoral process entered this critical phase is not coincidental. It is calculated, deliberate and despicable,” they said.

The caucus alleged that the ultimate objective was to weaken opposition participation in the 2027 elections and pave the way for an easy re-election bid for President Bola Tinubu.

“We make bold to say that this is all about 2027, not the law, and never justice,” the lawmakers stated.

They accused the APC of attempting to transform Nigeria into a one-party state by eliminating viable opposition platforms through judicial means.

The NDC lawmakers vowed to challenge the judgement through all available legal channels and expressed confidence that higher courts would reverse the ruling.

They said the party would pursue the matter to the Supreme Court if necessary.

“We will not yield. The NDC will not be de-registered by judicial decree. We will not be silenced,” the caucus declared.

The lawmakers also warned that allowing the judgement to stand could have serious consequences for Nigeria’s democratic system.

According to them, the ruling risks eroding public trust in both the judiciary and INEC while potentially triggering wider political tensions.

“If this order stands, it will trigger a major political crisis and destroy public confidence in the judiciary and INEC. That is a price Nigeria cannot pay,” the statement said.

The caucus called on party members across the country to remain calm and law-abiding while the legal battle continues.

“Stay calm. Stay law-abiding. Stay resolute. The NDC was born in struggle. No court order can kill that resolve,” the lawmakers said.