The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has lashed out at the Federal High Court ruling setting aside the judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register it as a political party, declaring that no one can use the judiciary to derail its participation in the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to Friday’s decision of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, the party insisted that it remains a legally registered political party, stressing that the court did not order its deregistration.
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the NDC described the latest ruling as an attempt to shrink Nigeria’s democratic space, while announcing that it has instructed its legal team to immediately challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
“It is too late for anyone to attempt to use the judiciary to derail or narrow Nigeria’s multi-party democratic space. If the said association (Peace Movement Party) were a party affected by the judgment on our initial suit, the only option open to it was to appeal the verdict, an option which it did not take. Even at that, the window open for such appeal has since closed and any such appeal by now has become statute-barred.
“To now try to upturn that verdict through the back door, via a motion, is not only unheard-of, but also illegal and an outright abuse of court process,” the party stated.
The NDC maintained that its registration by INEC followed a valid judgment delivered in December 2025 after the electoral commission initially refused to register the party.
“The public knows that by December 2025, the Nigeria Democratic Congress as an association complained of INEC’s refusal to register us as a political party, whereupon we proceeded to the Federal High Court. The Federal High Court upheld our constitutional right to freedom of association under the Constitution and compelled INEC to register us, which INEC did,” Zuwoghe said.
The party noted that since its registration, it has fully participated in Nigeria’s political process, conducting nationwide membership registration, congresses at ward, local government, state and national levels, conventions and primary elections in line with INEC’s timetable.
According to the NDC, it also fielded candidates 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 2027.
Questioning the basis of the court’s latest decision, the party argued that the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which brought the application, is neither a registered political party nor one currently seeking registration.
“The association that filed the complaint is unknown to us. The Peace Movement Party (PMP) is not a registered political party in Nigeria. They claimed, in a motion (not even a substantive suit or appeal), that the court should set aside its earlier judgment on the purported ground that, in 2015, they had sought registration as a political party with the victory sign as their symbol and were denied.”
The NDC further contended that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to revisit its earlier final judgment.
“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—an association that is not a registered political party and is not seeking registration now to participate in the current political process—His Lordship came to the conclusion that they have locus standi, and furthermore, that he has jurisdiction to do what he did.”
While expressing dissatisfaction with the ruling, the party emphasised that the judgment did not invalidate its registration.
“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 to challenge the jurisdiction and propriety of His Lordship’s order.”
The opposition party assured its candidates and supporters that its platform remains intact and that all nominations already made remain valid.
“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. We have no doubt that justice will be done.”
The party also accused unnamed actors of attempting to weaken political opposition through the courts.
“We condemn efforts by those who seek to shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices and alternatives. Nigerians have a right to a full range of opinions, ideas, and alternatives, and political platforms and candidates should be allowed to participate in the 2027 general election process, which has already gone midway.”
The NDC thanked its members and supporters for standing by the party, expressing confidence that the appellate court would overturn the ruling.
“We thank Nigerians for their support, and we thank all our candidates, members and supporters for their confidence and trust in the party. We assure them that all nominations made remain valid, that our platform is strong and legal, and that justice will be served,” Zuwoghe added.
