NDC's 2027 Election Hopes Reignited as Court Reverses Deregistration!

A Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has set aside its earlier judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party. Presiding Justice Isah Dashen ruled on Friday that the December 10, 2025 judgment was constitutionally defective because it was delivered without hearing from all interested parties. The court upheld an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), acknowledging PMP as a necessary party to the suit.

Justice Dashen declared that the omission to hear from all relevant parties rendered the entire previous process null and void. He further ruled that the status quo existing before the December 2025 judgment must be restored, pending the determination of the substantive suit. The judge also noted that certain material facts were suppressed during the earlier proceedings, which justified setting aside the judgment. Consequently, the court ordered that the substantive suit should begin afresh, with INEC, the PMP, and the NDC all involved as parties.

Chikezie Ekeocha, counsel to the PMP, informed journalists that his party approached the court after discovering that NDC’s registration was based on a logo that PMP had previously submitted to INEC prior to the commencement of the suit. Ekeocha confirmed that the court agreed PMP’s rights had been affected, leading to the vacating of the earlier judgment. He clarified that the ruling mandates all parties to return to their positions before December 10, 2025, and directs the claimants to join all necessary parties for a complete determination of the issues. This implies that all actions taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment, including NDC’s recognition, issuance of its certificate of registration, inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers, must be withdrawn pending the final outcome of the substantive suit.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), however, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the ruling. In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the party claimed the PMP is an “unregistered association” and criticized its legal approach. NDC argued that if PMP believed its interests were affected by the December 2025 judgment, the proper legal remedy would have been to file an appeal within the statutory period, rather than seeking to overturn the verdict through a motion, which it deemed an abuse of court process.

Despite the court’s decision, the NDC has assured its candidates for the 2027 elections and its members that the ruling will not hinder their participation. The party highlighted its extensive political activities since its registration by INEC on February 5, 2026, which included membership registration, various congresses, conventions, party primaries, and participation in recent bye-elections. NDC confirmed it had already nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential, and vice-presidential elections. The party stated it has not been deregistered and has instructed its legal team to immediately appeal Justice Dashen's order to the Court of Appeal, expressing confidence that justice will prevail.

The ruling effectively returns the dispute over the registration of the NDC to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing, with all relevant parties now expected to participate before a new determination is made.