‎NDC Rejects Court Ruling, Heads to Appeal, Insists Party Remains Registered ‎

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected Friday’s ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja setting aside the judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party, insisting it remains a legally recognised political party and has not been deregistered.
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‎In a statement issued after the court’s decision, the NDC described the ruling as legally flawed and confirmed it had instructed its lawyers to immediately challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
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‎The party maintained that the court’s earlier judgment of December 2025, which ordered INEC to register the NDC, had already been fully implemented, leading to its registration and participation in the country’s political process.
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‎According to the party, it has since conducted ward, local government, state and national congresses, held its national convention, completed primary elections, and fielded candidates in recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states.
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‎The NDC said it has also nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections, and is preparing to submit their names to INEC in line with the electoral timetable.
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‎Reacting to the court action initiated by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), the NDC argued that the association is not a registered political party and is not participating in the current registration exercise. It questioned the group’s legal standing and contended that the court lacked jurisdiction to revisit its earlier final judgment.
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‎The party further stated that while the court set aside its previous judgment, it did not issue any order directing the deregistration of the NDC.
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‎Reaffirming its commitment to the 2027 electoral process, the NDC assured its members and candidates that its political activities would continue while the appeal is pending.
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‎The party also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to undermine democratic participation and called for a political environment that allows opposition parties and alternative voices to freely contest the 2027 general elections.