NDC Appeals Lokoja Court Judgment, Insists It Remains Registered

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has appealed the recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise the party pending the resolution of legal issues surrounding its registration.

Naija News reports that the party also maintained that it remains a legally recognised political party, insisting that the judgment did not amount to its deregistration.

Speaking with Vanguard on Monday in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director, said the party had already challenged the judgment.

“Our legal team were in Lokoja to file the stay of execution on the ruling. We are waiting for them to return to Abuja with the documents,” he said.

The party’s National Secretary, Barr. Ikenna Enekweizu, said the court merely set aside its earlier judgment directing INEC to register the NDC and did not order the dissolution or deregistration of the party.

According to him, the NDC remains a valid political party and will continue to carry out its lawful activities across the country.

He added that there was no subsisting court order restraining the party from operating and urged members, supporters and candidates to remain calm and focused.

Enekweizu said the party had instructed its legal team to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal, expressing confidence that the appellate court would overturn what it described as legal errors in the ruling.

He assured the party’s candidates that preparations for the 2027 general elections would continue uninterrupted.

The national secretary also alleged that the timing of the judgment appeared intended to frustrate the party’s preparations for the elections, but insisted that the NDC would pursue all lawful means to protect its interests.

The Federal High Court in Lokoja had earlier set aside its December 2025 judgment compelling INEC to register the NDC following an application by the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the logo used by the NDC in securing its registration.