TD ABUJA, FCT — The Court of Appeal has reportedly upheld the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party, overturning the Federal High Court judgment in Lokoja that had set aside the earlier order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.
The development represents a major turn in the legal dispute over the NDC’s status ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The earlier Lokoja ruling was delivered by Justice Isah Dashen on June 26, 2026, after an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP). Justice Dashen had set aside the December 10, 2025 judgment that compelled INEC to register the NDC.
Lokoja court had vacated NDC registration
The dispute originated from the NDC’s legal challenge against INEC’s refusal to register the party.
On December 10, 2025, the Federal High Court had ordered INEC to register the NDC. INEC subsequently complied, and the party began operating as a registered political platform.
The Peace Movement Party later challenged the process, arguing that it had an interest in the case and should have been joined because of its claim relating to the logo used by the NDC.
Justice Dashen accepted that argument and ruled that the earlier proceedings had adversely affected the rights of a necessary party that had not been heard. He consequently restored the parties to the position that existed before the December 10 judgment and directed that the substantive dispute be heard afresh.
NDC immediately appealed
The NDC rejected the Lokoja ruling and maintained that the trial court had no jurisdiction to revisit its final judgment in the manner it did.
The party subsequently filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Lokoja, challenging both the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court and the propriety of Justice Dashen’s decision.
The party’s National Chairman, Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, had maintained that there was no separate order expressly directing the deregistration of the NDC and assured its candidates that preparations for the 2027 elections would continue.
Appeal Court ruling changes legal position
With the appellate court now reported to have overturned the Lokoja decision, the NDC’s registration has been restored, subject to the precise terms of the judgment and any further appeal that may arise.
The ruling is particularly significant because the legal uncertainty had raised questions about the status of candidates nominated by the party for the 2027 elections.
Following the June ruling, NDC National Leader Seriake Dickson announced that the party had filed its appeal and that INEC had restored access to its candidate-upload portal. The names of presidential candidate Peter Obi and Dickson were subsequently uploaded, according to Premium Times.
Separate court ruling had also strengthened NDC’s position on logo
The latest development comes shortly after another Federal High Court judgment in Abuja concerning the party’s logo.
On September 10, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered INEC to approve and upload the NDC’s modified logo for use in elections.
The court held that INEC’s refusal to permit the modification of the party’s colour and logo design was unconstitutional and illegal, and ordered the commission to recognise the modified design.
That case was separate from the Lokoja registration dispute but involved the same broader controversy over the NDC’s registration, identity and electoral participation.
NDC’s 2027 participation
The Court of Appeal’s reported decision removes a major judicial obstacle that had arisen around the NDC’s participation in the 2027 elections.
The NDC is fielding Peter Obi as its presidential candidate, with Rabiu Kwankwaso as running mate.
The full legal implications of the appellate judgment will depend on the enrolled judgment, including whether any conditions, consequential orders or further proceedings were specified.
This Dawn News will update this report as the full Court of Appeal judgment and reactions from INEC, the NDC and other parties become available.
