NDC reacts to court ruling nullifying its registration

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has faulted a court ruling that reversed an earlier order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register it as a political party.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Friday, set aside its earlier judgement directing INEC to register NDC as a political party.

The ruling followed an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which asked that the December 2025 judgement be set aside because it was joined in the suit.

The judge, Isah Dashen, upheld the PMP application and ruled that all relevant parties must be heard before any substantive decision can be made in the matter.

The judge then declared that such an omission rendered the entire process null and void and ruled that the status quo be restored to its state before the December 2025 judgement, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

But reacting in a statement on Friday, the National Chairman of the NDC, Moses Zuwoghe, said the party was surprised by the ruling.

Mr Zuwoghe recalled that the NDC was registered after the party filed a lawsuit against INEC before the Federal High Court in Kogi in December 2025, adding that the party has since moved on from that phase.

“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,” he said, adding that the NDC candidates for various elective offices had been nominated.

The national chairman argued that the PMP, which filed the application, was unknown to the NDC because they (PMP) “are not a registered political party in Nigeria.”

“It is important to note that they (PMP) are not an association applying for registration now under the exercise that started last year.

“Furthermore, the court, having delivered a final judgement in our suit against INEC, had become functus officio,” he said.

The official contended that the court had addressed all related issues concerning associations seeking to use the same symbol and colours, and had even overruled INEC when those issues were raised, which were not challenged.

“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,” he said.

Mr Zuwoghe expressed the NDC’s intention to appeal the ruling, insisting that there was no order directing the party’s deregistration.

“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.

“We assure the general public, and particularly our candidates at all levels, that our party is on course,” he said

“The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible. We have no doubt that justice will be done.”

Earlier this month, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress.

Although the Court of Appeal in Abuja later halted the enforcement of the judgement, some Nigerians say the move could be an attempt to stifle opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.

But Mr Zuwoghe said 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 judgement 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 the court process,” he stated.

The national chairman assured all supporters and members of the NDC that the party would work hard to protect the party and its candidates.

“We assure them that all nominations made remain valid, that our platform is strong and legal, and that justice will be served,” he stated.