NDC Legal Team Reviews Court Ruling Nullifying Party Registration

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced that its legal team is currently reviewing a Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja, Kogi State, which set aside a previous judgment that had compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.

Idris Zekeri Jnr, a media aide to the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, addressed the situation in a statement issued on Friday. He described the court’s decision as a “bizarre” development and urged the party’s supporters, coalition partners, and the public to remain calm while the leadership explores legal remedies.

“Today’s ruling is a hurdle, not a stop sign,” Zekeri stated, maintaining that the party’s political ambitions remain intact despite the setback. He emphasized that the NDC views the court’s action as a temporary complication rather than an end to its efforts to provide an alternative political platform.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Isah Dashen, who nullified the December 10, 2025, judgment that had originally mandated INEC to register the NDC. The court determined that the earlier decision failed to account for the interests of the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the logo used during the registration process.

As a result of the ruling, the court has ordered a fresh hearing to allow all necessary parties to be joined in the suit. This decision effectively pauses the recognition of the NDC, including its certificate of registration and its inclusion in official electoral records, until the substantive matter is resolved.