The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has formally challenged a recent decision by the Federal High Court in Lokoja. On Friday, the court overturned its own December 2025 ruling which had originally mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to grant the NDC political party status.
The NDC expressed shock over the court’s reversal, which was prompted by an application from the Peace Movement Party (PMP). The NDC asserts that the PMP is not a recognized entity. Since its initial registration following the December ruling, the NDC claims to have fully integrated into the political process. This includes conducting internal congresses, organizing primaries, and fielding candidates for various positions in Nasarawa and Enugu states.
According to the NDC, the court had already exhausted its authority on this matter after the final judgment last year. They emphasize that the recent court order does not explicitly demand their deregistration. Legal counsel for the NDC is currently preparing an appeal to contest the jurisdiction and legitimacy of the latest ruling.
Justice Isah Dashen, who presided over the case, argued that the initial judgment overlooked the interests of the PMP, which disputes the NDC’s usage of a specific logo. Legal representatives for the PMP stated that the new ruling effectively reverts the status of the NDC to its pre-December 2025 condition, pending further litigation.
