Court Nullifies Judgment Ordering INEC to Register NDC as Political Party

A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

The fresh ruling was delivered by Justice Isah Dashen, effectively reversing the court’s previous order that compelled the electoral commission to grant the NDC official recognition.

The development was disclosed on Friday by Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in a post shared on X.

The decision comes just days after another Federal High Court in Abuja ordered INEC to register the Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA) as a political party.

In that case, Justice Obiora Egwuatu ruled in favour of the promoters of the CDA in a suit filed by Tamunotonye Samuel Solomon Inioribo and two others.

The Abuja court subsequently directed INEC to issue the party with its certificate of registration within seven days.

The latest judgment from the Lokoja division introduces a new twist to the legal battles surrounding the registration of new political parties ahead of future elections.

As of the time of filing this report, the reasons behind Justice Dashen’s decision to vacate the earlier judgment had not been made public.

More details are expected.