The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has insisted that it remains a duly registered political party despite a Federal High Court ruling setting aside the judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register it, declaring that it will immediately challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
The party made its position known in a statement issued following Friday's ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, a decision that has continued to generate controversy over its implications for the party's legal status and participation in the 2027 general election.
According to the NDC, the court's latest order neither directed its deregistration nor affected its ongoing political activities, arguing that the ruling was legally flawed and would be overturned on appeal.
The party recalled that after INEC declined to register it in 2025, it approached the Federal High Court, which upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association and ordered the electoral umpire to register it as a political party.
It said INEC complied with the judgment, after which the NDC commenced full political operations, including nationwide membership registration, ward, local government, state and national congresses, its national convention, and primary elections conducted in line with INEC's timetable.
The party also noted that it participated in the recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has already nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections ahead of the 2027 polls.
Reacting to the latest court decision, the NDC questioned the legal standing of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), whose application led to the ruling.
It described the PMP as an unregistered association that is neither a recognised political party nor among associations currently seeking registration under INEC's ongoing exercise.
The NDC argued that the Federal High Court had already delivered a final judgment in its case against INEC and had therefore become functus officio, meaning it lacked jurisdiction to revisit issues that had already been conclusively determined.
The party further stated that the original judgment had addressed concerns relating to the use of its symbol and colours after they were raised by INEC during the proceedings, adding that no appeal had been filed against that decision.
It expressed surprise that the court entertained the fresh application and proceeded to set aside its earlier judgment.
While acknowledging the court's ruling, the party maintained that there was no order directing its deregistration.
It said its legal team had been instructed to immediately approach the Court of Appeal to challenge both the jurisdiction of the trial court and the validity of the latest order.
The NDC assured its members, candidates and supporters that its preparations for the 2027 general election would continue uninterrupted while the appeal is being pursued.
It also condemned what it described as attempts to narrow Nigeria's democratic space by preventing alternative political platforms from participating in the country's electoral process.
The party maintained that Nigerians deserve a broad range of political choices and that all qualified parties should be allowed to contest the forthcoming general elections.
Court ruling
The latest controversy stems from a ruling delivered by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, who set aside the court's December 10, 2025 judgment directing INEC to register the NDC.
The judge ruled that the earlier proceedings were constitutionally defective because the Peace Movement Party, which claimed an interest in the matter, was not joined before the judgment was delivered.
According to the court, the omission denied the applicant a fair hearing and rendered the earlier proceedings a nullity.
Justice Dashen also held that material facts were not disclosed during the initial proceedings, making it necessary to vacate the previous judgment.
Consequently, the court ordered that the status quo existing before the December 2025 judgment be restored pending the hearing of the substantive suit and directed that the matter begin afresh with INEC, the Peace Movement Party and the Nigeria Democratic Congress joined as parties.
The judgment has continued to attract mixed reactions from political observers and legal analysts, with debate centring on whether the ruling automatically affects the NDC's registration status or whether that issue will ultimately be determined by the appellate courts. The NDC has, however, remained adamant that it is still a registered political party and that the legal dispute will be resolved in its favour.
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