The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has formally rejected a recent ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which set aside a previous judgement compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party. The NDC has asserted that it remains a legally recognised political entity and has vowed to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal immediately.
In a statement released on Friday, the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, clarified that the court’s latest ruling did not include an order for the party’s deregistration. Consequently, the NDC maintains that its status as a registered political party remains unchanged.
The legal dispute stems from an application filed by an association known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which successfully sought to overturn a December 2025 judgement that had initially directed INEC to grant the NDC registration.
The NDC, which successfully registered with INEC following the earlier court intervention, argues that it has since become deeply embedded in the nation’s electoral process. The party points to its active participation in ward, state, and national congresses, as well as its fielding of candidates in recent by-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states. Furthermore, the party has already nominated candidates for the 2027 general elections, covering positions from the House of Assembly to the Presidency.
Legal representatives for the NDC have questioned the court’s jurisdiction to revisit the matter, arguing that the court had become functus officio—having already delivered its final judgement on the issue—and noting that no appeal was lodged against the original December 2025 decision.
The party has dismissed the move by the PMP as an “outright abuse of court process” and an attempt by unnamed actors to stifle the democratic space. “The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible,” Senator Zuwoghe stated, expressing confidence that the appellate court would rectify the situation.
The NDC has moved to reassure its members and candidates that all existing nominations remain valid, insisting that the electorate deserves a broad range of choices as the country approaches the 2027 polls.
