The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected a ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, insisting that it remains a legally registered political party despite an order setting aside an earlier judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register it.
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the party disclosed that it has instructed its legal team to immediately appeal the ruling delivered by Justice Isah Dashen, describing the decision as legally flawed and an abuse of court process.
According to the NDC, the court ruling stemmed from an application filed by an unregistered association known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed it had sought registration as a political party in 2015 using the “victory” symbol and was denied.
The party argued that the Federal High Court had, in December 2025, already delivered a final judgment affirming its constitutional right to freedom of association and directing INEC to register it as a political party. It noted that following that judgment, it had fully integrated into Nigeria’s political process by registering members nationwide, conducting ward, local government, state, and national congresses, holding its national convention, and completing primary elections for all elective offices in line with INEC’s timetable.
The NDC further stated that it successfully participated in the recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential, and vice-presidential elections, with preparations underway to formally submit the candidates to INEC.
Reacting to the latest court decision, the party maintained that the Peace Movement Party is neither a registered political party nor an association currently seeking registration under the ongoing exercise initiated by INEC.
It also argued that the trial court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment in 2025, stressing that issues relating to the use of its party symbol and colours had already been determined in that judgment without any appeal being filed.
“The court made no order directing the deregistration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress,” the statement said. “We are dissatisfied with the ruling and have directed our lawyers to immediately approach the Court of Appeal to challenge both the jurisdiction and propriety of the order.”
The party reassured its members, supporters, and candidates that its legal status remains intact pending the appeal.
“Our party is on course. The NDC has not been deregistered, and all nominations already made remain valid,” the statement added.
The NDC also accused unnamed interests of attempting to undermine Nigeria’s democracy by using the judiciary to suppress opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party maintained that Nigerians deserve a vibrant multi-party democracy with diverse political alternatives and argued that it was too late in the electoral process for any attempt to narrow the political space.
It further contended that if the Peace Movement Party believed it was affected by the December 2025 judgment, its only lawful remedy would have been to file an appeal within the statutory period, rather than seeking to overturn the judgment through what it described as “the back door” via a motion.
Describing the latest application as “illegal” and “an outright abuse of court process,” the NDC expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would overturn the ruling and reaffirm its legal status.
The party thanked its members, supporters, and candidates nationwide for their continued confidence, assuring them that justice would ultimately prevail and that it remains committed to participating fully in the 2027 general election process.
