Political Firestorm! NDC Deregistration Rocks Nigeria's Democracy, Fuels Tyranny Fears

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refrained from taking an immediate stance on the recent Federal High Court judgment that set aside an earlier order compelling it to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party. In a statement issued by Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, the commission acknowledged widespread media reports about the judgment delivered on Friday, June 26, 2026, by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State. However, INEC stated it could not comment on the specifics until its legal department obtains and thoroughly reviews the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court's order. The commission assured that an informed, lawful decision would be made in line with the court's directives once the CTC is examined, urging the public to await its formal position.

This development comes barely 24 hours after Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja nullified a December 10, 2025 judgment which had originally mandated INEC to register the NDC. The court's decision to set aside its earlier ruling stemmed from an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which argued that it had sought registration using the identical "victory sign" logo as early as 2015. Crucially, the PMP was not joined as a party in the initial proceedings, despite its direct interest being affected. Consequently, Justice Dashen ordered that all parties revert to their positions prior to the December 2025 decision and directed that the substantive suit be heard afresh with all necessary parties properly joined.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress swiftly rejected the judgment, asserting that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to revisit and overturn its own final decision. Senator Moses Cleopas, the party's National Chairman, maintained that the trial court had become functus officio after delivering its initial judgment in December 2025, thereby lacking the legal authority to reopen the matter. He clarified that the ruling did not amount to the deregistration of the NDC and announced the party's immediate intention to challenge the decision before the Court of Appeal, expressing confidence in an overturn.

Leaders of the NDC echoed this sentiment. Victor Ochei, NDC candidate in Delta North Senatorial District, described the judgment as a "temporary setback" and expressed confidence that issues would be resolved through due process, urging supporters to remain calm and focused on their mission for quality representation. Similarly, Seriake Dickson, founder of the NDC and former Bayelsa State Governor, labeled the court ruling as illegal and a politically motivated attempt to undermine the party's growing popularity and stifle Nigeria’s multi-party democracy. He insisted the order lacked legal merit and was designed to weaken the party’s credibility, vowing to challenge it with his team of lawyers and encouraging members to continue political activities.

The judgment has ignited strong reactions across Nigeria's political landscape. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the ruling as "a setback for democracy," warning that it narrows Nigeria's democratic space and undermines multiparty politics ahead of the 2027 general elections. The PDP further alleged that the decision aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government's agenda to weaken genuine opposition parties.

The African Action Congress (AAC) also vehemently condemned the judgment, calling it "another dangerous chapter in the ongoing campaign by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime to dismantle political opposition and impose a one-party dictatorship on Nigeria." The AAC alleged a coordinated pattern of repression against opposition parties and the weaponization of state institutions, particularly the judiciary. It cited the detention of its presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and previous "unjust judicial attacks" on other opposition parties as evidence of this pattern, urging Nigerians and the international community to resist this "descent into tyranny."

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, fiercely criticized the alleged judicial plot to deregister the NDC. He described it as a calculated attempt by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to force a de facto one-party state, warning it poses a severe threat to national stability and could trigger "chaos and anarchy" if institutionalized ahead of the 2027 elections. Atiku accused President Tinubu of contradicting his democratic claims and urged him to emulate past leaders like Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, who never deregistered opposition parties. He also appealed directly to the Nigerian judiciary, cautioning judges against becoming instruments of political suppression and damaging their institutional integrity.

Adding to the discourse, investment banker and economist Atedo Peterside commented on the situation, suggesting that "judicial rascality" in Nigeria could be curbed through disciplinary action. He argued that merely relying on appellate courts to overturn "obnoxious judgments" encourages more judges to engage in delivering "procurable obnoxious judgments," highlighting a need for stronger internal accountability within the judiciary. The NDC, undeterred, reiterated its commitment to appealing the ruling to the Court of Appeal.