A Federal High Court in Lokoja has overturned a prior decision that mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress as an official political party. Consequently, any measures enacted following the initial order are now void.
Justice Isah Dashen stated on Friday that the December 10, 2025, ruling unfairly impacted the Peace Movement Party. The PMP was not originally involved in the proceedings despite their claim to the logo used by the NDC to secure the court order. Legal representative C. S. Ekeocha noted that the PMP sought judicial intervention after finding that the NDC registration relied on a logo the PMP had already filed with INEC.
The court acknowledged that the PMP’s interests were harmed and officially vacated the earlier judgment. All involved parties are now required to revert to the status held before the December 10 decision. Furthermore, the court instructed the plaintiffs to include all relevant entities to ensure a fair resolution of the dispute.
This ruling effectively reverses any steps taken by INEC to recognize the NDC. This includes the cancellation of registration certificates, removal from agency records, and exclusion from ballots until the underlying legal case is fully settled. Ekeocha emphasized that the substantive matter remains ongoing, and this development serves to guarantee that all impacted parties have the chance to be heard before a final verdict is reached.
