TDThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) access to its candidate upload portal and announced plans to remove the party from its register of political parties.
This follows a fresh ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which set aside an earlier judgment compelling INEC to register the NDC.
On Friday, Justice Isah Dashen nullified the December 10, 2025, judgment that had directed INEC to recognise the NDC as a political party.
The court held that the earlier ruling infringed on the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP).
It said PMP was not joined in the suit despite claiming ownership of the logo used by the NDC to secure registration.
Court Decision
Counsel to the PMP, C. S. Ekeocha, explained that the ruling effectively reversed all actions taken under the December 2025 judgment.
“The recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” Ekeocha said.
The court directed that all parties return to the position they occupied before the December 2025 ruling and ordered that all necessary parties be joined to enable the substantive issues to be fully determined.
Importantly, the substantive suit remains pending before the Federal High Court and has not yet been decided.
INEC’s Response
INEC confirmed that it has applied for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment and will act in accordance with the court’s decision once it receives the document.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, told Saturday Vanguard:
“We have applied for the Certified True Copy of the judgment. Until we receive it, we cannot be in a position to comment on it.
“However, the position that existed before the December 10, 2025, judgment was that INEC rejected NDC’s letter of intent to be registered as a political party.”
This means that, pending the final determination of the case, INEC will revert to its earlier stance of rejecting the NDC’s application for registration.
Implications
The ruling and INEC’s subsequent actions have significant implications:
- Candidate Upload Denied – NDC has been blocked from uploading candidates for upcoming elections, effectively excluding it from participation.
- Delisting Process – INEC is set to remove the NDC from its register of political parties, pending the outcome of the substantive suit.
- Legal Uncertainty – The case returns to trial court for fresh hearing, leaving the NDC’s future in limbo.
- Impact on Supporters – NDC members and supporters face uncertainty about their political representation and participation in the electoral process.
Wider Context
The controversy underscores the complex legal and procedural hurdles surrounding party registration in Nigeria.
INEC has historically maintained strict criteria for recognising political parties, often citing constitutional and statutory requirements.
The NDC’s case highlights the tension between judicial rulings and electoral commission procedures, as well as the role of rival parties like the PMP in contesting registration rights.
Observers note that the outcome of the substantive suit will determine whether the NDC can re-emerge as a recognised political party or remain permanently excluded from Nigeria’s political landscape.
For now, INEC’s denial of access to the candidate upload portal and its move to delist the NDC mark a major setback for the party.
With the matter returning to court, the NDC’s fate rests on the resolution of the substantive suit.
Until then, Nigeria’s political terrain remains as turbulent as ever.
The ruling reinforced INEC’s authority to regulate party registration, while highlighting the judiciary’s role in shaping electoral outcomes.
