Court cancels earlier ruling on NDC political party status

The Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Friday, cancelled its previous ruling that told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

Judge Isah Dashen stated that all parties involved must be heard before any final decision can be made.

The court agreed with the Peace Movement Party (PMP), saying that it was an important party in the case.

The judge said the earlier ruling was not valid because it was made without hearing from all interested parties.

He pointed out that this mistake made the whole process invalid.

Mr Dashen also ordered that things go back to how they were before the December 2025 ruling, until the main case is sorted out.

He mentioned that some key facts were hidden in the first hearing, which supported the decision to overturn the ruling.

As a result, the court instructed that the main case should start again, with INEC, the PMP, and the NDC as parties in the case.

According to NAN, the lawyer for the applicant, Chikezie Ekeocha, told reporters that the PMP went to court after finding out that NDC’s registration used a logo it had given to INEC before the case started.

Mr Ekeocha said the court agreed that the applicant’s rights were affected and therefore cancelled the earlier ruling.

“The court has ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the judgment of 10 December 2025, and directed the claimants to join all necessary parties to ensure the issues in dispute are effectually and completely determined,” he said.

He explained that this ruling means every action taken by INEC based on the now-cancelled judgment is reversed.

“The recognition of the NDC, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” Mr Ekeocha stated.

He also made it clear that the main case is still with the court and has not been resolved.

“The matter has not been concluded. The court merely set aside its previous judgment and directed that the party whose interests were affected be joined so that all sides can be heard before a fresh decision is reached.”

Mr Ekeocha dismissed claims that the court only told parties to keep things as they were, saying the ruling specifically ordered a return to the state before the 10 December 2025 ruling.

This ruling returns the matter of NDC’s registration to the Federal High Court for a new hearing, with all relevant parties expected to take part before a new decision is made.

This judgment comes shortly after the Federal High Court in Abuja told five political parties, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action People’s Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Accord Party, to stop operating.

On 16 June, the Court of Appeal in Abuja paused the enforcement of that judgment, saying it went against an earlier ruling that paused processes at the Federal High Court.

The judgments come as the affected political parties prepare their candidates for the 2027 elections and ramp up their campaigns.

It is still unclear how Friday’s ruling, which reversed the recognition of NDC, will directly affect the party’s candidates, including Peter Obi, who is the party’s presidential candidate.

INEC and NDC have not yet publicly responded to the ruling.