The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, activist Omoyele Sowore, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi and Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have rejected Friday’s ruling of a Federal High Court in Lokoja setting aside its earlier judgment that led to the registration of the NDC as a political party.

Justice Isah Dashen, who delivered the ruling, held that the court’s December 10, 2025 judgment adversely affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which was not joined as a party in the suit despite claiming ownership of the logo relied upon in obtaining the judgment.

Counsel to the applicant, C.S. Ekeocha, said the court ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the December 10, 2025 judgment and directed that all necessary parties be joined before the substantive issues are determined.

According to him, the implication of the ruling is that actions taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) pursuant to the earlier judgment, including the recognition and registration of the NDC, should be reversed pending the determination of the substantive suit.

He, however, clarified that the substantive case remains before the court and has not been concluded.

NDC heads to Court of Appeal

Reacting to the judgment, the NDC said it was dissatisfied with the ruling and had directed its legal team to immediately approach the Court of Appeal.

In a statement, the party argued that the Peace Movement Party is neither a registered political party nor an association currently seeking registration under the ongoing political party registration process.

The NDC also questioned the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to revisit its earlier judgment, contending that the court had become functus officio after delivering its final decision in December 2025.

The party said that following its registration by INEC, it had conducted membership registration, ward, local government, state and national congresses, held its national convention, concluded primaries for all elective offices and participated in recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states.

It added that candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections had emerged and were awaiting formal submission to INEC.

The NDC maintained that the ruling did not order its deregistration and assured members and candidates that the party remained on course while it challenged the decision on appeal.

The party also condemned what it described as attempts to shrink the democratic space and suppress opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi: Judgment another setback for democracy

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi described the Lokoja ruling as “another setback for our democracy and the institutions upon which our future depends.”

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Obi said every Nigerian committed to the country’s progress should be concerned by the judgment.

He argued that democratic institutions must remain independent and credible, warning that actions capable of eroding public confidence in them could have serious consequences for the country.

“The legislature and the judiciary are increasingly being drawn into this pattern of institutional decline. Democracy cannot thrive where institutions lose their independence and credibility,” he said.

Obi maintained that his reaction was based on principle rather than political interest, noting that he had previously criticised similar developments involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He urged Nigerians to rise above partisan interests and defend the country’s democratic institutions.

Sowore condemns ruling

Human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore also condemned the court’s decision.

In a post on his Facebook page, Sowore described the ruling as “a coordinated assault on Nigerians’ right to political participation.”

“I totally condemn this assault on democracy. Like every other act of repression by this regime, it will not stand,” he stated.

PDP faults implications of judgment

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said it was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment but expressed concern over its implications.

The party said the order further constricts Nigeria’s democratic space, particularly after aspirants had invested resources to contest elections under the NDC platform.

The PDP urged the NDC to challenge the ruling through the legal process while calling on the Federal Government to reduce political tension in the interest of peace, stability and democratic consolidation.

ADC calls for opposition unity

ADC National Publicity Adviser, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the Lokoja ruling as another reminder that no opposition party is immune when democratic space is under threat.

He said attempts to deregister political parties close to an election undermine democratic competition and called on opposition parties to close ranks.

“Divided, we are easy targets. But united, we can confront the growing monster of dictatorship and defend the constitutional right of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders,” he said.

Atiku’s aide warns opposition

Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, described the ruling as a wake-up call for opposition parties.

According to him, the development should encourage opposition groups to harmonise their strengths ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He argued that the ruling underscored the need for greater cooperation among opposition parties in defence of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

The Lokoja judgment has continued to generate reactions from political parties and opposition figures, with several indicating their intention to challenge or resist its implications through legal and political means.

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