The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected the decision of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which nullified an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party, insisting that it remains a legally recognised political party and will immediately challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
In a statement released on Friday, the party described the judgment delivered by Justice Isah Dashen as unexpected and legally flawed, maintaining that it would exhaust all available legal options to overturn the decision.
The ruling had set aside the court’s December 2025 judgment that compelled INEC to register the NDC after an application by an association known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed ownership of the logo used by the NDC during its registration process.
Responding to the development, the NDC dismissed the claims made by the association, arguing that the Peace Movement Party is not a recognised political party in Nigeria.
“The association that filed the complaint is unknown to us. The Peace Movement Party (PMP) is not a registered political party in Nigeria,” the statement said.
The party explained that following the earlier court order, INEC complied by registering the NDC, after which it commenced full political activities across the country.
According to the party, it has since carried out nationwide membership registration, conducted congresses from the ward level to the national level, organised its national convention and concluded primary elections in accordance with the electoral timetable released by INEC.
“Since then, we have started political activities, embarked on the registration of members, held congresses from ward to national levels, held conventions, and concluded primaries to all offices following INEC’s timetable,” the party stated.
The NDC further disclosed that it had already produced candidates for governorship, National Assembly, presidential and vice-presidential positions and was preparing to submit their names to the electoral commission within the prescribed timeline.
Questioning the legal basis for the latest judgment, the party argued that the Federal High Court had already delivered a final decision on the matter and no longer possessed the authority to revisit it.
“Therefore, we are surprised that, on an application by an association claiming that it wanted to register as a political party with the victory sign in 2015, His Lordship came to the conclusion that they have locus standi, and furthermore, that he has jurisdiction to do what he did,” the statement added.
Despite the court ruling, the NDC insisted that there was no order directing INEC to deregister the party and assured its members, supporters and candidates that its activities would continue without interruption.
“There was no order directing our deregistration. However, we are dissatisfied with the decision that has been made, and we have instructed our team of lawyers to immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal,” the party said.
The party reiterated that its legal status remains intact while the matter is being contested.
“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,” it stated.
The NDC also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to weaken political opposition and limit democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We condemn efforts by those who seek to shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices and alternatives,” the statement added.
Justice Dashen had ruled that the December 10, 2025 judgment adversely affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party because the association was not joined as a party in the original suit despite its claim to ownership of the disputed logo.
The court consequently ordered all parties involved to revert to the position they occupied before the December judgment and directed that all relevant parties be joined in the substantive suit before the matter proceeds further.
