TDThe Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a formal statement following the ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja earlier today, which set aside its December 2025 judgment compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.
In the statement signed by Sen. Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, National Chairman of the NDC, the party expressed surprise at the ruling.
It described the application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP) as “an outright abuse of court process.”
The NDC argued that PMP is not a registered political party in Nigeria and therefore lacks the legal standing to challenge its registration.
According to the party, PMP’s claim that it had sought registration in 2015 using a similar logo was irrelevant to the current political process.
“We assure the general public, and particularly our candidates at all levels, that our party is on course.
“The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible,” the statement read.
Background
The Federal High Court had earlier ruled in December 2025 that INEC must register the NDC, citing constitutional rights to freedom of association.
INEC subsequently registered the party in February 2026, after which the NDC began full political activities, including congresses, conventions, and primaries.
The party also fielded candidates in recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has nominated candidates for all elective offices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Legal Concerns and Next Steps
The NDC insists that the court, having delivered a final judgment in December 2025, had become functus officio — meaning it no longer had jurisdiction to revisit the matter.
The party maintains that any challenge to its registration should have been pursued through an appeal, which PMP did not file within the statutory timeframe.
The NDC confirmed that it has instructed its legal team to immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal to contest the jurisdiction and propriety of Justice Isah Dashen’s order.
The party reassured its members and candidates that all nominations remain valid and that its platform is “strong and legal.”
It condemned what it described as attempts to “shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices”.
It further warned that it is too late in the electoral process to derail Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
This development sets the stage for a high-stakes legal battle at the appellate level, with implications for Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The case will determine whether the NDC retains its status as a registered political party or faces deregistration.
Peter Obi Reacts
On his part, Mr. Obi lambasted the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government for trying to stop him from contesting.
He said: “Today, the Federal Government is doing everything possible to stop me from becoming a candidate in this 2027 election.
“I can tell you for a fact—they won’t win,” he said emphatically.
Obi made the remarks while speaking at Madonna University in Anambra State.
The remarks came hours after the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja vacated its earlier judgment directing INEC to register the NDC as a political party.
