Akakan Umoh
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Presidential candidate of NDC, Peter Obi have expressed shock as Federal High Court, Abuja overturned judgment against the party.
A Federal High Court in Lokoja had set aside its earlier judgment delivered on December 10, 2025, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.
Earlier this month, the Federal High Court in Abuja, had ordered the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The Court of Appeal in Abuja later halted the enforcement of the judgment.
The NDC National Chairman, Moses Zuwoghe, said the party was surprised by the ruling.
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Mr Zuwoghe recalled that the NDC was registered after the party filed a lawsuit against INEC before the Federal High Court in Kogi in December 2025, adding that the party has since moved on from that phase.
“Since then, we have started political activities, embarked on the registration of members, held congresses from ward to national levels, held conventions, and concluded primaries to all offices following INEC’s timetable.
“We have been fully participating in all INEC activities without let or hindrance. NDC also fielded candidates, and fully participated, in the just-concluded bye elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states,” he said, adding that the NDC candidates for various elective offices had been nominated.
The national chairman argued that the PMP, which filed the application, was unknown to the NDC because they (PMP) “are not a registered political party in Nigeria.”
“It is important to note that they (PMP) are not an association applying for registration now under the exercise that started last year.
“Furthermore, the court, having delivered a final judgment in our suit against INEC, had become functus officio,” he said.
The official contended that the court had addressed all related issues concerning associations seeking to use the same symbol and colours, and had even overruled INEC when those issues were raised, which were not challenged.
“Therefore, we are surprised that, on an application by an association claiming that it wanted to register as a political party with the victory sign in 2015; an association that is not a registered political party and is not seeking registration now to participate in the current political process, His Lordship came to the conclusion that they have locus standi, and furthermore, that he has jurisdiction to do what he did,” he said.
Mr Zuwoghe expressed the NDC’s intention to appeal the ruling, insisting that there was no order directing the party’s deregistration.
“We are dissatisfied with the decision that has been made, and we have instructed our team of lawyers to immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge the jurisdiction and propriety of His Lordship’s order.
“We assure the general public, and particularly our candidates at all levels, that our party is on course,” he said
“The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible. We have no doubt that justice will be done.”
Mr Zuwoghe said it is too late for anyone to attempt to use the judiciary to derail or narrow Nigeria’s multi-party democratic space.
“If the said association (Peace Movement Party) were a party affected by the judgement on our initial suit, the only option open to it was to appeal the verdict, an option which it did not take.
“Even at that, the window open for such appeal has since closed, and any such appeal by now has become statute-barred.
“To now try to upturn that verdict through the back door, via a motion, is not only unheard-of, but also illegal and an outright abuse of the court process,” he stated.
The national chairman assured all supporters and members of the NDC that the party would work hard to protect the party and its candidates.
“We assure them that all nominations made remain valid, that our platform is strong and legal, and that justice will be served,” he stated.
Judgment weakens democratic institutions – Obi
Similarly, Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party (NDC), Peter Obi, has reacted to the Lokoja court ruling on the derecognition of the party, describing it as an unnecessary and serious setback to Nigeria’s democracy and democratic institutions.
Obi, in a statement signed on Friday, said he received news of the judgment while attending an engagement at Madonna University after earlier visits to the School of Nursing Sciences in Emekuku and the 80th birthday celebration of the Emeritus Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Obinna.
According to him, the development should concern every Nigerian committed to the country’s progress, warning that it further weakens democratic institutions and erodes public confidence.
“It is regrettable that some who claim to champion democracy now appear determined to weaken the very institutions that sustain it. In doing so, they are undermining public confidence and endangering the future of millions of Nigerians,” he said.
Obi lamented what he described as the growing decline in the independence and credibility of key democratic institutions, particularly the legislature and the judiciary.
“The legislature and the judiciary are increasingly being drawn into this pattern of institutional decline. Democracy cannot thrive where institutions lose their independence and credibility,” he stated.
He maintained that those seeking to undermine Nigeria’s democratic foundations would ultimately not succeed, recalling that he had similarly condemned actions taken against the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on the grounds of principle rather than political interest.
“My concern is not about who becomes President. My concern is that Nigeria works. Our politics must move beyond the quest for power and focus instead on building a united nation founded on justice, strong institutions, the rule of law, and equal opportunity,” Obi said.
He called on Nigerians to rise above partisan interests and defend democratic institutions, insisting that the survival of the country’s democracy is inseparable from the survival of the nation.
“It is when we work together that a new Nigeria of our dream is made possible,” he added.
Court overturns Judgment
Delivering the ruling, Justice Isah Dashen held that all parties with a direct interest in the matter must be given a fair hearing before any substantive decision is reached, in line with the principles of natural justice.
The judge ruled that the application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), an interested party in the suit, had merit, noting that the party successfully established its legal interest in the case.
Justice Dashen held that the earlier proceedings were constitutionally defective because the interested party was not heard.
He declared the previous judgment a nullity and ordered that the status quo be restored pending the hearing of the substantive suit.
The court further observed that material facts were suppressed during the proceedings that led to the December 2025 judgment, making it necessary to set aside the earlier ruling.
Justice Dashen consequently ordered that the substantive suit should commence afresh, with INEC, the Peace Movement Party (PMP), and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) joined as parties in the case.
