NDC rejects derecognition ruling, heads to appeal court 

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected a Federal High Court ruling that nullified an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party, announcing plans to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

In a statement issued on Friday, Moses Cleopas, the party’s national chairman described the ruling as unacceptable and said its legal team had already been instructed to file an appeal.

Cleopas said the court’s decision followed an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which he maintained was neither known to the NDC nor recognised as a registered political party.

He recalled that the same court had, in December 2025, upheld the party’s constitutional right to freedom of association and ordered INEC to grant it registration.

According to him, the party has since carried out nationwide membership registration, conducted congresses at ward, local government, state and national levels, held its national convention and completed primary elections in line with INEC’s timetable.

He added that the NDC also participated in recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and had nominated candidates for all elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party insisted that the latest ruling did not amount to its deregistration.

“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,” Cleopas said.

“The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible. We have no doubt that justice will be done.”

He said all nominations made by the party remain valid pending the outcome of the appeal.

The NDC further argued that the federal high court had already delivered final judgment on the matter and lacked the authority to revisit issues it had previously determined.

The party also maintained that disputes over its logo and symbol had been settled in the earlier judgment, noting that no appeal was filed against that decision.

Describing the latest proceedings as an abuse of court process, the NDC accused unnamed interests of attempting to weaken opposition politics ahead of the 2027 elections.

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

It expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would overturn the ruling and restore the earlier judgment.