By Enitan Abdultawab

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected a ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State capital, that set aside an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register it as a political party, insisting that it remains registered and will immediately challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

In a statement issued on Friday, the party expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling delivered by Justice Isah Dashen, describing the decision as surprising and legally questionable.

The court had earlier set aside its December 2025 judgment that compelled INEC to register the NDC, following an application filed by an association known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed ownership of the logo used by the NDC in securing its registration.

Reacting to the development, the NDC said the PMP was neither a registered political party nor an association currently participating in the ongoing political process.

“The association that filed the complaint is unknown to us. The Peace Movement Party (PMP) is not a registered political party in Nigeria,” the party stated.

According to the NDC, it had already been registered by INEC following a court order and had since carried out extensive political activities, including membership registration, congresses, conventions, primary elections and participation in bye-elections conducted in Nasarawa and Enugu states.

“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 statement read.

The party also disclosed that it had nominated candidates for various elective offices, including governorship, National Assembly, presidential and vice-presidential positions, and was preparing to submit their names to INEC in line with the commission’s timetable.

Questioning the basis of the court’s decision, the NDC argued that the court had already delivered a final judgment in the matter and had become functus officio.

“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 party stated.

The NDC maintained that the ruling did not amount to a deregistration of the party and assured its members and candidates that its political activities would continue uninterrupted.

“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,” it said.

The party added: “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.”

The NDC further accused unnamed actors of attempting to undermine political opposition and restrict 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 party said.

Justice Dashen had ruled that the December 10, 2025 judgment adversely affected the rights of the PMP, which was not joined as a party in the original suit despite claiming ownership of the logo in dispute.

The court consequently ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the judgment and directed that all necessary parties be joined in the substantive case.

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