BREAKING: NDC rejects court ruling, says party remains validly registered

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says it has not been deregistered despite a ruling by a Federal High Court in Lokoja setting aside an earlier judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.

In a statement on Thursday, NDC National Chairman, Moses Zuwoghe, said the party had instructed its lawyers to challenge the ruling at the court of appeal.

The party said the ruling followed an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), an association it described as unregistered and unknown to the NDC.

According to the NDC, the court’s earlier judgment in December 2025 compelled INEC to register it as a political party after finding that the commission had violated its constitutional right to freedom of association.

The party said it has since conducted membership registration, ward, local government, state and national congresses, held its national convention and concluded primaries for elective offices in line with INEC’s timetable.

The NDC added that it also participated in recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and is preparing to submit the names of its candidates for the 2027 general election to INEC.

The NDC argued that the Federal High Court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment in the matter.

The party said issues relating to its logo and symbol had already been determined in the earlier judgment and that no appeal was filed against the decision.

It also argued that the PMP was neither a registered political party nor an association seeking registration under the current exercise.

According to the NDC, the only legal option available to any party dissatisfied with the December 2025 judgment was to file an appeal within the prescribed period.

“To now try to upturn that verdict through the back door, via a motion, is not only unheard-of, but also illegal and an outright abuse of court process.

“There was no order directing our deregistration. We assure the general public, and particularly our candidates at all levels, that our party is on course.”

“The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible,” the party stated.

The NDC also accused unnamed persons of attempting to “shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices”.

“We condemn efforts by those who seek to shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices and alternatives.

“Nigerians have a right to a full range of opinions, ideas, and alternatives, and political platforms and candidates should be allowed to participate in the 2027 general election process,” the party stated.