JUST-IN: NDC heads to Appeal Court, says backdoor judgment deregistering party cannot stand

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has insisted that it remains a legally recognised political party despite a Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja setting aside an earlier judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register it.

In a statement issued on Friday, the party’s National Chairman, Moses Zuwoghe, said the NDC has directed its legal team to challenge the latest ruling at the Court of Appeal.

According to the party, the judgment followed an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which it described as an unregistered association unknown to the NDC.

The NDC recalled that the Federal High Court had, in December 2025, ordered INEC to register it after finding that the commission violated its constitutional right to freedom of association.

The party said it has since conducted membership registration, ward, local government, state and national congresses, held its national convention, concluded primaries for elective positions in line with INEC’s timetable, and participated in recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states.

It added that preparations were ongoing to submit the names of its candidates for the 2027 general elections to INEC.

The NDC argued that the Federal High Court became functus officio after delivering its final judgment in the matter, insisting that issues relating to its logo and symbol had already been settled in the earlier ruling.

According to the party, the PMP was neither a registered political party nor an association seeking registration under the current exercise, adding that the only lawful remedy available to any dissatisfied party was to file an appeal within the stipulated period.

“To now try to upturn that verdict through the back door, via a motion, is not only unheard-of, but also illegal and an outright abuse of court process.

“There was no order directing our deregistration. We assure the general public, and particularly our candidates at all levels, that our party is on course.

“The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible,” the statement read.

The party also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to suppress opposition voices and shrink Nigeria’s democratic space.

“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 alternatives, and political platforms and candidates should be allowed to participate in the 2027 general election process,” the statement added.