By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Federal High Court in Lokoja has set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party, reopening the legal dispute over the party’s registration.
The development introduces fresh uncertainty for the NDC ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections, during which the party had unveiled former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as its presidential candidate and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate.
Justice Isah Dashen ruled on Friday that the previous judgment, delivered on December 10, 2025, affected the interests of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which was not joined in the suit despite claiming ownership of the logo adopted by the NDC.
Counsel to the PMP, C.S. Ekeocha, said his client approached the court after discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo the PMP had earlier submitted to INEC before the initial case commenced.
According to Ekeocha, the court ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the December 2025 judgment and directed that all necessary parties be joined in the case before it proceeds.
He explained that the ruling effectively reverses all actions taken by INEC pursuant to the earlier judgment, including the recognition of the NDC, the issuance of its certificate of registration and its inclusion in the electoral body’s records.
“The recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” Ekeocha said.
He, however, clarified that the court did not determine the substantive issues in the case, noting that it merely vacated the earlier judgment to allow all affected parties to be heard.
The matter will now return to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing with the Peace Movement Party and other relevant parties participating.
While the ruling does not permanently invalidate the NDC, it places the party’s legal status in temporary uncertainty pending the outcome of the renewed court proceedings.
