NDC heads to appeal court over judgment voiding party registration

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has vowed to challenge a ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja that reportedly set aside an earlier judgment compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register the party, insisting that it remains a legally recognised political party.

In a statement issued on Friday by its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the party said it had instructed its legal team to immediately appeal the decision delivered by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja.

The NDC said the ruling arose from an application filed by the Peace Movement Party, PMP, which it described as an unregistered association.

According to the party, the court’s original judgment delivered in December 2025 had upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association and directed INEC to register it as a political party after the electoral body initially declined its application.

The party said that following its registration, it commenced full political activities, including membership registration, congresses from ward to national level, its national convention and primary elections for all elective offices in line with INEC’s timetable.

It added that it had participated in INEC activities without hindrance and fielded candidates in the recent bye-elections held in Nasarawa and Enugu states.

The NDC further stated that it had already nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections and was in the process of formally submitting their names to INEC in accordance with the electoral timetable.

The party argued that the Peace Movement Party is neither a registered political party nor an association participating in the current registration exercise. It said the group claimed that it had sought registration in 2015 using the “victory sign” as its symbol but was denied by INEC.

According to the NDC, the Federal High Court had already addressed issues relating to the use of similar party symbols and colours in its December 2025 judgment, adding that no appeal was filed against that decision.

The party maintained that the trial court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment and therefore lacked the jurisdiction to revisit the matter through a motion filed by the association.

It expressed surprise that the court held that the applicant had the legal standing to bring the application and subsequently set aside the earlier judgment.

The NDC, however, clarified that the latest ruling did not order its deregistration.

“There was no order directing our deregistration. However, we are dissatisfied with the decision and have instructed our lawyers to immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge the jurisdiction and propriety of the order,” the statement said.

The party assured its candidates, members and supporters that its platform remained valid and that all nominations already conducted were unaffected pending the outcome of the appeal.

The NDC also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to narrow Nigeria’s democratic space through the courts, arguing that opposition parties should be allowed to participate freely in the 2027 general election.

It further contended that if the Peace Movement Party believed it was affected by the court’s December 2025 judgment, its proper remedy was to file an appeal within the prescribed period, rather than seek to overturn the judgment through what it described as “the back door” by way of a motion.

The party expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would overturn the ruling and reaffirm its legal status, while thanking its members and supporters for their continued confidence.