Opposition Unites Amidst Court Chaos: NDC Derecognition Rocks Political Landscape

The Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, recently delivered a significant ruling by setting aside its earlier judgment that had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party. This decision effectively plunges the NDC's status into uncertainty and reopens a legal battle, particularly with the 2027 general elections approaching. The ruling has sparked various reactions and raised critical questions regarding the court’s reversal, the NDC's current standing, and the broader implications for both INEC and the affected political party members, including prospective candidates for the upcoming elections.

Justice Isah Dashen, presiding over the case (suit marked FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025), ruled that the court’s December 10, 2025 judgment, which initially compelled INEC to register the NDC, could not be upheld. The primary reason cited was the non-inclusion of a party with a direct interest in the matter in the original proceedings. Specifically, the Peace Movement Party (PMP) should have been joined in the suit, as it claimed ownership of a logo that the NDC allegedly submitted to INEC as part of its registration documents. Consequently, the court nullified the earlier judgment, ordering that all parties revert to their positions prior to the December ruling and mandating the inclusion of all necessary parties before the matter proceeds. This aligns with the constitutional principle of fair hearing, which stipulates that no decision affecting the rights of an interested party should be made without giving them an opportunity to be heard. The judge agreed that the PMP had established sufficient interest to be joined, and the omission rendered the entire process null and void.

The application to set aside the judgment was filed by the Peace Movement Party through its counsel, C.S. Ekeocha. Ekeocha argued that the PMP discovered the logo presented by the NDC during its registration process was substantially similar to one previously submitted by the PMP to INEC. Given that this dispute directly impacted his client’s rights and interests, the PMP should have been made a party to the original case. The court concurred, emphasizing that material facts were not disclosed during the earlier proceedings, making it necessary to vacate the previous order.

The immediate consequence for the NDC is the nullification of its registration. All actions taken by INEC based on the earlier judgment are now affected and are expected to remain on hold pending the outcome of the fresh hearing. These actions include the recognition of the NDC as a political party, the issuance of a certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records of registered political parties, and any preparations related to its participation in future elections. It is crucial to note that the court did not permanently stop the NDC’s registration or rule against its eligibility; rather, it found the earlier judgment procedurally flawed due to the absence of all directly interested parties. The substantive question of the NDC's registration and the disputed logo will be addressed in the renewed proceedings.

The case will now return to the Federal High Court in Lokoja for a fresh hearing, with INEC, the PMP, and the NDC joined as parties. This development reinforces the principle of fair hearing, a cornerstone of Nigeria’s judicial system, and serves as a vital reminder to political associations seeking registration that their names, logos, and symbols must not conflict with those already submitted to or recognized by INEC. Until a new judgment is delivered, the legal status of the NDC remains unresolved, and INEC is expected to comply with the latest court order and await the outcome of the renewed proceedings until a final conclusion is reached.

Reacting to the ruling, the leadership of the NDC, through a statement by Dickson on his Facebook account, expressed their shock, describing the order as lacking “legal merit” and being “anti-democratic.” Dickson stated that the order would not stand and would be resisted by the party and “all lovers of democracy in Nigeria.” He confirmed that a legal team had been assembled to challenge the ruling and restore normalcy, urging members and candidates to remain calm and steadfast. While acknowledging that the party anticipated challenges due to its rapid growth, Dickson expressed surprise at the source of the development. He questioned the standing of the Peace Movement Party, referring to it as an “unregistered association” that was not a necessary party to the suit and had no exclusive rights to a logo, alleging that the legal action was politically motivated by those “shocked by the progress the NDC has made.” He asserted that this would not weaken the party's resolve, vowing to correct the “judicial anomaly” through appropriate judicial channels and even claiming an increase in membership registrations in solidarity, saying, “All things work together for good. Men may act with evil intentions, but if it is not the will of God, He turns it around for our good.”

The Interim National Working Committee (INWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), chaired by Dr. Tanimu Turaki, also condemned the court’s decision, calling it a “setback for democracy” and an “asphyxiation of multiparty democracy in Nigeria.” National Publicity Secretary Comrade Ini Ememobong alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was behind the court's action, framing it as part of a plan to push opposition parties out of the 2027 polls and pave the way for the President’s “unchallenged re-election.” The PDP urged the NDC to vigorously challenge the order within the ambit of the law while seeking the support of the Nigerian people in the struggle for democratic consolidation. They also called on the Federal Government to reduce the political temperature.

Echoing similar sentiments, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, underscored the critical need for unity among opposition political parties. Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC National Publicity Secretary, viewed the ruling as a stark reminder that no opposition party is immune when the ruling party attempts to “shrink the democratic space,” likening attempts to deregister parties before elections to “moves of a dictatorship.” Both emphasized that a united opposition could confront the “growing monster of dictatorship” and defend Nigerians' constitutional rights. Ibe specifically called the decision a “wake-up call” for the opposition to “harmonise their strengths ahead of 2027” to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleging his aim to enthrone a “de facto one-party state.” INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan had previously confirmed the initial court order to register NDC, even though it was not among the pre-qualified associations.