The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has rejected a Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja that set aside its December 2025 registration order, insisting the party remains legal and will challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
In a statement signed by National Chairman, Sen. Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the NDC said it was “surprised” by the June 26, 2026 ruling by Hon. Justice Isah Dashen on an application filed by an “unregistered association” known as Peace Movement Party, PMP.
The NDC said it sued INEC in December 2025 over refusal to register it as a political party. The Federal High Court upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association and compelled INEC to register it.
Since then, the party said it has commenced full political activities: membership registration, congresses from ward to national level, conventions, primaries, and participation in all INEC activities.
It also fielded candidates and took part in the recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states, and has nominated candidates for House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, Presidential, and Vice-Presidential positions ahead of 2027.
The party described PMP as “not a registered political party in Nigeria” and said its motion claimed it was denied registration in 2015 with the “victory sign” as its symbol.
The NDC argued that Justice Dashen was functus officio after delivering final judgment in December 2025, and that all issues on symbols and colours had already been overruled with no appeal filed.
It added that PMP “is not seeking registration now to participate in the current political process,” yet was granted locus standi and jurisdiction.
The party noted there was “no order directing our deregistration,” but said it is “dissatisfied” and has instructed its lawyers to immediately appeal the jurisdiction and propriety of the order.
The NDC condemned what it called efforts “to shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices,” saying it is “too late” to use the judiciary to derail Nigeria’s multi-party system midway into the 2027 election process.
It said if PMP was affected by the 2025 judgment, its only option was to appeal, a window that “has since closed and become statute-barred.” It described the attempt to overturn the verdict “via a motion” as “illegal and an outright abuse of court process.”
The NDC assured Nigerians, candidates, members, and supporters that “all nominations made remain valid, that our platform is strong and legal, and that justice will be served.”
