Fresh Legal Twist As Court Reverses NDC Recognition, Restores Pre-Registration Status
Court Sets Aside NDC Registration Judgment, Orders Fresh Hearing With All Parties
Federal High Court Reopens Dispute Over NDC’s Legal Status
THE Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has nullified its earlier judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party, reopening a legal dispute that could have significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Isah Dashen ruled that the December 10, 2025 decision could not stand because it was reached without hearing all parties whose legal interests were directly affected by the case. The judge held that the omission amounted to a constitutional defect, rendering the earlier proceedings null and void.
Peace Movement Party Wins Bid to Join the Case
Central to the court’s decision was an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which argued that it should have been included in the original proceedings because the issues before the court affected its legal interests.
Justice Dashen agreed with the submission, ruling that the PMP was a necessary party whose exclusion denied it the constitutional right to fair hearing. The court therefore set aside the earlier judgment and directed that the matter be heard afresh with all relevant parties participating.
The court also ordered that the legal status quo existing before the December 2025 judgment be restored pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Court Cites Suppression of Material Facts
In addition to the fair hearing issue, Justice Dashen observed that certain material facts were allegedly not disclosed during the original proceedings.
According to the court, the suppression of those facts provided further justification for vacating the earlier judgment and reopening the case.
Consequently, the Federal High Court directed that INEC, the Nigeria Democratic Congress and the Peace Movement Party be joined as parties when the substantive matter resumes.
Lawyers Explain Implications of the Judgment
Counsel to the Peace Movement Party, Chikezie Ekeocha, said the court’s ruling effectively reverses every action taken pursuant to the earlier judgment.
According to him, the recognition previously accorded to the NDC, its certificate of registration, inclusion in INEC’s official records and every administrative action flowing from the December 2025 judgment now stand suspended until the substantive case is finally determined.
He emphasized that the court did not determine the merits of the registration dispute but merely ensured that all affected parties would be heard before a fresh decision is taken.
Fresh Uncertainty Ahead of 2027 Elections
The judgment introduces fresh legal uncertainty over the status of the Nigeria Democratic Congress at a time when political parties are intensifying preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Although the immediate implications for candidates already associated with the party remain unclear, legal observers note that the final outcome of the substantive suit could determine the party’s future participation in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The development also comes shortly after separate litigation involving the deregistration of several political parties, highlighting the increasingly active role of the judiciary in shaping Nigeria’s evolving political environment.
As of the time of the ruling, neither INEC nor the NDC had issued an official response.
