The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected a Lokoja Federal High Court ruling that set aside an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the party insisted that it remains a legally recognised political party and vowed to challenge the court’s decision at the Court of Appeal.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja following an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), an association that claims ownership of the logo used by the NDC.
The NDC said it was surprised by the ruling, arguing that the Peace Movement Party is not a registered political party and was not involved in the political registration exercise that began last year.
According to the party, it had approached the Federal High Court in December 2025 after INEC refused to register it as a political party. The court later ruled in its favour and ordered INEC to register the party, a decision that was subsequently carried out.
Since its registration, the NDC said it has been actively involved in political activities, including registering members, conducting congresses and conventions, and organising primary elections in line with INEC’s timetable.
The party also stated that it participated in the recent by-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has already nominated candidates for various positions, including governorship, National Assembly and presidential elections.
“The NDC has not been deregistered,” the statement said. “We are dissatisfied with the decision and have instructed our lawyers to immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal.”
The party further argued that the Federal High Court had already delivered a final judgment on the matter and therefore lacked the authority to set aside its earlier decision.
However, counsel to the Peace Movement Party, C.S. Ekeocha, defended the ruling, saying his client approached the court after discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo previously submitted by the PMP to INEC.
According to Ekeocha, the court ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the December 2025 judgment and directed that all interested parties be joined in the case.
He said the ruling means that actions taken by INEC based on the earlier judgment, including the recognition and registration of the NDC, have been suspended pending the final determination of the substantive suit.
“The matter has not been concluded,” Ekeocha said. “The court only set aside its previous judgment to allow all affected parties to be heard before a fresh decision is made.”
Despite the court ruling, the NDC insisted that its candidates’ nominations remain valid and expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would overturn the decision.
The party also accused some individuals of attempting to reduce political competition and restrict opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
