A recent Federal High Court decision to invalidate the registration status of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has ignited significant debate among political circles. Members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement argue that this ruling is a calculated effort by President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilize opposition groups ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Habibu Saleh Mai Lemo, a spokesperson for the movement, stated that his group remains unfazed, noting that the ruling party has historically used various strategies to weaken political rivals. He emphasized that the movement expects the Court of Appeal to overturn the verdict, which he claims ignores the rule of law and threatens the nation’s democratic integrity by pushing toward a single-party system.
The controversy stems from a ruling by Justice Isah Dashen in Lokoja, who set aside a prior December 2025 decision that had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC. The judge ruled that the Peace Movement Party (PMP) was denied a fair hearing because it was not included in the original litigation. Consequently, the court ordered all parties back to their previous status while the case is revisited.
NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, clarified that his party remains active, citing successful primaries and participation in recent elections. He confirmed that the party has initiated an appeal, questioning the legal legitimacy of the PMP’s intervention. Meanwhile, legal experts like Barrister Zulkallani Sani Tsanyawa highlighted that the verdict is not final, asserting that the judiciary remains accessible to both the ruling party and the opposition to seek redress. As Nigeria moves toward 2027, this legal dispute underscores the mounting pressures facing opposition parties amidst internal factionalism and constant courtroom challenges.
