The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected the judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja setting aside an earlier ruling that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register it as a political party.
The party insisted that it has not been deregistered and described reports suggesting otherwise as inaccurate.
In a statement issued shortly after Friday’s court ruling, the NDC said it was surprised that the court reversed its December 2025 judgment following an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which it described as an unregistered association that was unknown to the party.
According to the NDC, the latest judgment does not amount to an order removing it from the list of registered political parties.
The party said it had already instructed its lawyers to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the trial court lacked the power to revisit its earlier judgment.
“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,” the statement said.
The development marks another chapter in the legal battle over the registration of the NDC, one of the newer political parties preparing to participate in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The party explained that after the Federal High Court delivered its judgment in December 2025 directing INEC to register it, the electoral commission complied with the order.
According to the NDC, the registration enabled it to begin full political activities across the country.
It said it commenced membership registration, established party structures nationwide and conducted ward, state and national congresses in line with its constitution.
The party also stated that it successfully held its national convention and concluded primary elections for various elective positions in accordance with INEC’s timetable for the 2027 elections.
The NDC added that it has already participated in electoral activities by fielding candidates in recent bye-elections conducted in Nasarawa and Enugu states.
It further disclosed that it has nominated candidates for several elective positions, including state Houses of Assembly, the House of Representatives, the Senate, governorship seats, as well as the offices of president and vice-president.
The party argued that all these actions were carried out after it received official recognition from INEC pursuant to the court’s earlier judgment.
Reacting to Friday’s ruling, the NDC argued that the Federal High Court had become *functus officio* after delivering its final judgment in the matter.
In legal terms, *functus officio* means that a court has completed its assignment in a case and no longer has the authority to reopen or alter its final decision except under limited circumstances provided by law.
The party maintained that the issues surrounding its logo, symbol and party colours had already been determined in the earlier proceedings.
It argued that the Peace Movement Party, which later claimed ownership of the victory sign adopted by the NDC as its logo, was neither a registered political party nor involved in the original suit that led to the court order directing INEC to register the NDC.
According to the party, the latest ruling did not expressly direct INEC to remove its name from the register of political parties.
It therefore insisted that claims that it had been deregistered were misleading and intended to create confusion among its members, supporters and candidates.
The NDC also accused unnamed persons of attempting to reduce Nigeria’s democratic space ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It alleged that there were deliberate efforts to weaken emerging opposition parties and limit political competition before the next nationwide polls.
The party, however, assured its members that its structures across the country remain intact and that it would continue with its political activities while pursuing legal remedies.
Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja had on Friday set aside the court’s earlier judgment that directed INEC to register the NDC.
The judge ruled that the earlier judgment affected the legal rights of the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the victory sign adopted by the NDC but was not joined as a party in the original suit.
According to the court, since the interests of the Peace Movement Party could be affected by the decision, it ought to have been given an opportunity to present its case before the judgment was delivered.
Following the ruling, counsel to the Peace Movement Party, C.S. Ekeocha, said the judgment restored all parties to the position they occupied before the court delivered its decision on December 10, 2025.
He explained that the effect of the ruling was that all actions taken by INEC based on the earlier judgment, including the recognition and registration of the NDC, had been reversed pending the final determination of the matter.
The disagreement centres largely on the ownership and use of the victory sign, which the Peace Movement Party claims belongs to it.
The issue has now become a key legal question in the dispute over the NDC’s registration and political identity.
Under Nigeria’s electoral laws, political associations seeking registration must satisfy conditions laid down by INEC, including submitting unique names, acronyms, logos and party symbols that do not conflict with those of existing registered political parties.
Where disputes arise over party names or symbols, the courts often determine the legal rights of the parties involved.
If the Court of Appeal upholds Friday’s ruling, it could affect the legal status of the party and the validity of actions taken after its registration.
However, if the appellate court overturns the decision, the NDC’s registration and all political activities carried out since December 2025 could remain intact.
For now, the party has maintained that it remains a recognised political platform and that it will continue preparing for future elections while pursuing its appeal.