BREAKING: NDC Rejects Court Ruling, Insists Party Remains Registered
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected a ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja setting aside an earlier judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party, insisting it remains a legally recognised political party.
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the party said the ruling followed an application filed by an unregistered association known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed it had sought registration with the same victory sign as its symbol in 2015.
The NDC argued that it had lawfully secured registration after a December 2025 court judgment affirmed its constitutional right to freedom of association and directed INEC to register it.
Since then, the party said it has conducted membership registration, congresses, conventions, primaries, and participated in INEC activities, including recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states.
According to the party, its candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential, and vice-presidential elections have already emerged and are being prepared for submission to INEC in line with the electoral timetable.
The NDC maintained that the court had no jurisdiction to revisit its earlier judgment, arguing that it had become functus officio after delivering its final decision. It also noted that the latest ruling did not order the party’s deregistration.
The party announced that it has instructed its legal team to immediately appeal the ruling at the Court of Appeal, expressing confidence that the decision would be overturned.
The NDC further accused unnamed individuals of attempting to use the judiciary to shrink Nigeria’s democratic space and suppress opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It reassured its members, supporters, and candidates that the party remains operational, insisting that all nominations made so far remain valid while the legal challenge continues.
