Just In: NDC Fights Back after Court Orders INEC to Deregister Party, Says Ruling Will Be Challenged

Pat Stevens/

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected a Federal High Court ruling ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel its registration, insisting the party remains legally recognised and will immediately challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

The party’s reaction came after Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja reportedly set aside an earlier judgment that had compelled INEC to register the NDC as a political party, a decision that has thrown the party’s participation in the 2027 general election into uncertainty.

In a strongly worded statement issued shortly after the ruling, the NDC argued that the court’s decision was legally flawed and maintained that no order had been made directing its deregistration.

“There was no order directing our deregistration,” the party stated.

“We are dissatisfied with the decision that has been made, and we have instructed our team of lawyers to immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge the jurisdiction and propriety of His Lordship’s order.”

The NDC further declared: “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. We have no doubt that justice will be done.”

The party traced the dispute to its successful legal battle against INEC in December 2025 after the electoral commission initially declined to register it.

According to the NDC, the Federal High Court had upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association and ordered INEC to register it, a directive the commission subsequently complied with.

Since securing registration, the party said it had established structures nationwide, conducted congresses from ward to national level, organised its national convention, and concluded primary elections for all elective offices in line with INEC’s timetable.

It also pointed to its participation in recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states as evidence that it had been operating as a recognised political party without objection from the electoral commission.

The NDC said it had already nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections and was preparing to submit their names to INEC.

The controversy stems from an application brought by an association known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which the NDC described as an unregistered group with no standing in the current political process.

According to the NDC, the association argued that it had unsuccessfully sought registration in 2015 using the “victory sign” as its symbol and persuaded the court to revisit its earlier judgment.

The party questioned both the applicant’s legal standing and the court’s jurisdiction.

It argued that, having already delivered final judgment in the earlier case, the court had become functus officio and therefore lacked the authority to reopen the matter.

“The Peace Movement Party is not a registered political party in Nigeria,” the statement said.

“They are not an association applying for registration now under the exercise that started last year. They are also not a registered political party in Nigeria participating in the political process now, as we are.”

The NDC further argued that the issues surrounding similarities in party symbols and colours had already been determined in the earlier proceedings, with the court ruling in its favour and no appeal filed against that judgment.

Beyond its legal objections, the party accused unnamed actors of attempting to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.

“We condemn efforts by those who seek to shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices and alternatives,” it said.

“Nigerians have a right to a full range of opinions, ideas, and alternatives, and political platforms and candidates should be allowed to participate in the 2027 general election process, which has already gone midway.”

The latest legal setback comes only weeks after another suit was filed challenging the legality of the NDC’s registration, with the plaintiff asking a Federal High Court in Abuja to direct INEC to withdraw the party’s recognition on the grounds that it allegedly failed to satisfy constitutional registration requirements.

The Court of Appeal is now expected to determine whether Justice Dashen had the jurisdiction to revisit the earlier judgment that paved the way for the NDC’s registration, a decision that could significantly influence the party’s status ahead of the 2027 general election.

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