A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has set aside its earlier ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
Delivering the decision on Friday, Justice Isah Dashen held that the court’s judgment of December 10, 2025, adversely affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party, which was not joined as a party to the suit.
The Peace Movement Party had claimed ownership of the logo relied upon in securing the judgment that led to the NDC’s registration. Speaking to journalists after the ruling, counsel to the applicant, C.S. Ekeocha, explained that his client approached the court upon discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo it had previously submitted to INEC before the suit was instituted.
According to Ekeocha, the court agreed that the applicant’s rights were affected, as they had not been given the opportunity to be heard. Consequently, the court vacated its earlier judgment and directed that all necessary parties be joined in the proceedings.
“The court has ordered all parties to revert to the position they occupied before the judgment of December 10, 2025, and directed the claimants to join all necessary parties to ensure that the issues in dispute are fully and effectively determined,” he said.
Ekeocha further stated that the ruling implies that all actions taken by INEC pursuant to the now-vacated judgment must be reversed. These include the recognition of the NDC, the issuance of its certificate of registration, and its inclusion in INEC’s official records, all of which can no longer stand pending the determination of the substantive suit.
“The recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” he added.
He clarified, however, that the substantive matter remains unresolved. According to him, the court merely set aside its earlier judgment on the ground that a party whose interests were affected was not heard before the decision was delivered.
“The matter has not been concluded. The court only set aside its previous judgment and directed that the affected party be joined so that all sides can be heard before a fresh decision is reached,” he said.
Ekeocha also dismissed claims that the court merely ordered parties to maintain the status quo, insisting that the ruling specifically directed a restoration of the position that existed before the December 10, 2025 judgment.
The decision effectively returns the dispute over the NDC’s registration to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing, with all relevant parties now expected to participate before a new determination is made.
