GistReel
The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) rejected a Federal High Court ruling that overturned a previous ruling ordering the party’s registration, insisting it remains a valid political platform and will challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
ua a statement signed by its national president, Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the party said it was surprised by the judgment delivered by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja on Friday on a petition filed by the unregistered Peace Movement Party (PMP).
The NDC insists it remains a legal party
According to the statement, the NDC approached the court in December 2025 after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) allegedly refused to register it as a political party.
The party said the court upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association and subsequently ordered INEC to register it.
Since then, the NDC said it has conducted political activities including membership registration, districts, state and national congresses, conventions and party primaries.
It was also stated that he participated in the recent by-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has already nominated candidates for various elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party questions the jurisdiction of the court
The NDC argued that the Peace Movement Party is neither a registered political party nor an association currently seeking registration under the ongoing political process.
The party further argued that the Federal High Court had become functus officio after rendering its final judgment in the case and therefore had no jurisdiction to rehear the case.
According to the statement, there was no order to deregister the NDC. However, the party said it had instructed its legal team to immediately appeal the ruling.
“We assure the general public, and especially our candidates at all levels, that our party is on the right track. The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are contesting today’s order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible,” the statement read.
The NDC condemns the attempt to narrow the democratic space
The party also accused unnamed actors of trying to use the judiciary to narrow Nigeria’s democratic space and suppress opposition votes ahead of the 2027 elections.
It argued that if the Peace Movement Party was dissatisfied with the original ruling, its proper legal option was to file an appeal within the stipulated time, rather than seek a reversal of the ruling by way of motion.
The NDC expressed confidence that justice will prevail and assured its members and candidates that all nominations made by the party remain valid.
