The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has formally contested a Federal High Court decision in Lokoja that nullified a previous mandate for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the organization. Justice Isah Dashen’s recent ruling reversed a December 2025 judgment that originally compelled INEC to grant the party official status. The reversal followed a petition by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which asserted that the NDC’s logo infringed upon their own intellectual property.
The NDC dismissed the claims made by the PMP, stating that the association is not an officially recognized political entity in Nigeria. According to the party, they have already fulfilled numerous requirements post-registration, including conducting congresses, holding national conventions, and finalizing primary elections for various positions ranging from the presidency to local offices.
Legal representatives for the NDC argued that the court exceeded its authority because it had previously reached a final verdict on the matter, rendering it functus officio. The party remains adamant that their legal status is intact, noting that the recent ruling did not explicitly order their deregistration. They have signaled their intent to take the case to the Court of Appeal to contest the judge’s determination of locus standi and jurisdiction. The NDC further suggested that this legal challenge is an attempt by external actors to impede political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
