The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has assured its members, candidates, and supporters that it remains a legally registered political party despite a recent ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, declaring that it will immediately challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the party reacted to Friday’s ruling by Justice Isah Dashen, which reportedly set aside an earlier judgment that had compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.
According to the party, the court’s latest decision followed an application filed by an association known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed it had sought registration with the “victory sign” as its symbol in 2015 but was denied.
The NDC described the applicant as an unregistered association that is neither participating in the current political process nor seeking registration under the ongoing exercise.
The party recalled that in December 2025, it successfully challenged INEC’s refusal to register it, with the Federal High Court affirming its constitutional right to freedom of association and directing the electoral commission to register it.
Following that judgment, the NDC said it commenced full political activities, including nationwide membership registration, ward, local government, state and national congresses, conventions, and the conduct of party primaries in line with INEC’s timetable.
It added that it had already fielded candidates in the recent bye-elections held in Nasarawa and Enugu States and had nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While confirming that the Lokoja court set aside its earlier judgment, the party stressed that there was no order directing its deregistration.
“The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible. We have no doubt that justice will be done,” the statement read.
The party argued that the trial court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment in December 2025 and therefore lacked jurisdiction to revisit the matter through a motion filed by an association that was not a party to the original proceedings.
It further maintained that any grievance over the earlier judgment should have been pursued through an appeal, adding that the statutory time allowed for such an appeal had already elapsed.
The NDC accused unnamed individuals of attempting to use the judiciary to undermine Nigeria’s multi-party democracy and suppress opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We condemn efforts by those who seek to shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices and alternatives. Nigerians have a right to a full range of opinions, ideas and political platforms,” the party stated.
The NDC concluded by reassuring all its candidates that their nominations remain valid and urged members and supporters to remain calm as its legal team pursues the matter at the Court of Appeal.
