NDC Rejects Court Ruling, Heads to Appeal Over Registration Order

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has vowed to challenge a Federal High Court ruling that set aside its earlier judgment compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.

In a statement issued on Friday, the party maintained that it remains a legally recognised political party and has not been deregistered, contrary to reports following the court’s decision.

The NDC explained that it secured a judgment from the Federal High Court in December 2025 after challenging INEC’s refusal to register it as a political party.

According to the party, the court upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association and ordered INEC to grant it registration, a directive the electoral commission subsequently complied with.

The party said that since its registration, it had carried out membership registration nationwide, conducted ward, local government, state and national congresses, held its national convention and concluded primary elections for all elective offices in line with INEC’s timetable.

It added that it had also participated in INEC’s activities and fielded candidates in the recent by-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states, while preparations were underway to submit the names of its candidates for the 2027 general elections to the electoral commission.

Reacting to the latest court ruling, the NDC said the application was filed by an unregistered association known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which it said was neither a registered political party nor an association currently seeking registration under INEC’s ongoing registration process.

The party argued that the Federal High Court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment in the matter and lacked jurisdiction to set aside its earlier decision.

According to the NDC, while the court vacated its December 2025 judgment, it did not order the party’s deregistration.

The party disclosed that it had instructed its legal team to immediately appeal the ruling, challenging both the jurisdiction of the court and the propriety of the decision.

The NDC also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to shrink Nigeria’s democratic space and suppress opposition voices, insisting that political parties and candidates should be allowed to participate freely in the build-up to the 2027 general elections.

It assured its members, supporters and candidates that its political activities would continue while it pursues legal redress at the Court of Appeal.