The Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, has rejected Friday’s ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, setting aside the earlier judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register it as a political party.
The party insists it has not been deregistered.
In a statement issued after the ruling, the party said it was surprised by the court’s decision to set aside its December 2025 judgment following an application by the Peace Movement Party, PMP, an association it described as unregistered and unknown to the NDC.
The party maintained that after the December 2025 judgment, INEC registered the NDC, enabling it to commence political activities, register members, conduct ward, state and national congresses, hold conventions and conclude primaries for elective offices in line with the electoral timetable.
According to the NDC, it also fielded candidates in the recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections.
The party argued that the Federal High Court had become ‘functus officio’ after delivering its final judgment in the case against INEC and had already addressed issues relating to the party’s logo and colours.
It contended that the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the victory sign adopted by the NDC, was neither a registered political party nor participating in the current registration process.
The NDC further stated that the court’s latest ruling did not expressly order its deregistration, contrary to reports suggesting otherwise.
The party said it has instructed its legal team to immediately challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal, questioning both the jurisdiction of the court and the propriety of the decision.
“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.
The party also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to shrink Nigeria’s democratic space and suppress opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
