NDC Reacts As Court Voids INEC Registration Order

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has reacted to a Federal High Court judgment which set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register it as a political party.

Naija News reports that the court ruled that its December 10, 2025, judgment adversely affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP) which was not joined as a party in the suit.

Reacting to the development, the NDC vowed to appeal the ruling.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Osa Director, told Leadership that the NDC would obtain and study the full text of the judgment before taking further legal action.

“We are waiting to see the text of the judgment, study it and exercise our right to appeal,” Osa Director said.

The court judgment, delivered by Justice Isah Dashen, reportedly nullified the December 10, 2025, ruling that had directed INEC to register the NDC, following an application brought by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which argued that it was not joined in the original proceedings despite having a legal interest in the matter.

The judge held that all parties with vested interests ought to have been allowed to participate in the case and consequently ordered that the matter be heard afresh with the relevant parties properly joined.

The ruling effectively restored the status quo that existed before the earlier judgment pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Counsel to the applicant, C.S. Ekeocha, argued before the court that the NDC’s registration process allegedly involved a logo that had earlier been submitted to INEC by the Peace Movement Party, a contention which the court considered sufficient to warrant the party’s participation in the proceedings.

The development has opened a fresh chapter in the legal battle over the registration of the NDC, with the party insisting that the judicial process is far from concluded.

According to Osa Director, the NDC remains confident in its legal position and will pursue all constitutional avenues to defend its registration and political activities.

The party maintained that, while it respects the court’s decision, it would not relent in seeking redress through the appellate process, expressing optimism that a higher court would clarify the issues raised in the judgment.