Federal High Court Vacates Judgment Registering NDC, Orders Fresh Hearing

A Federal High Court in Lokoja has overturned its previous judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

In a ruling delivered on Friday, Justice Isah Dashen nullified the December 10, 2025, decision, stating that it had negatively impacted the rights of the Peace Movement Party. The court noted that the Peace Movement Party, which claims ownership of the logo utilized in the NDC’s registration process, was not originally joined as a party to the suit.

Following the ruling, the court has ordered a restoration of the legal position held by all parties prior to the December 2025 judgment. Furthermore, the court has directed the original claimants to include all necessary parties in the suit to ensure that the dispute is addressed through a comprehensive and transparent process.

Legal counsel representing the Peace Movement Party, C.S. Ekeocha, explained that the implication of the court’s decision is that all actions taken by INEC based on the vacated judgment must be reversed. This includes the withdrawal of the NDC’s certificate of registration, the removal of the party from official electoral records, and the exclusion of the party from ballot papers pending the final outcome of the substantive case.

The court has emphasized that the matter remains ongoing, with the fresh hearing intended to allow all interested parties to present their arguments before a new decision is rendered.