The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced plans to challenge a Federal High Court ruling that set aside an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register it as a political party.
In a statement posted on its X page on Friday, the party said it had instructed its legal team to immediately approach the Court of Appeal to contest both the jurisdiction and propriety of the decision delivered by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja.
The court had ruled on an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which the NDC described as an unregistered association, and set aside its December 2025 judgment that had compelled INEC to register the party.
Reacting to the development, the NDC expressed surprise at the ruling but maintained that it did not amount to an order for its deregistration.
“There was no order directing our deregistration. However, we are dissatisfied with the decision and have instructed our lawyers to immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal,” the statement said.
The party argued that the Federal High Court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment in the matter, insisting that issues relating to its name, symbol, and colours had already been conclusively determined.
It further contended that the Peace Movement Party is neither a registered political party nor an association currently undergoing registration under INEC’s ongoing exercise, questioning its standing in the case.
Providing background, the NDC recalled that it had initially approached the court after INEC declined to register it, and that the court had upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association and ordered the commission to grant it recognition.
According to the party, it has since operated as a duly registered political party, conducting membership registration, ward-to-national congresses, a national convention, and primary elections in line with INEC’s timetable.
The party added that it participated in recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has already nominated candidates for various offices—including the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, and presidential elections—ahead of the 2027 general election.
Reassuring its members, supporters, and candidates, the NDC said it remains fully engaged in the political process and expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would overturn the ruling.
It also condemned what it described as attempts to stifle democratic participation, arguing that Nigerians should have access to a broader range of political platforms and alternatives as preparations intensify for the 2027 general election.
