A Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State has overturned its earlier judgement directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
The court held that all relevant parties in the suit must be heard before any substantive decision can be reached.
In his ruling, Justice Isa Dashen held that certain material evidence were not disclosed during the earlier proceedings ,and therefore necessitates vacation of the previous judgement.
Consequently, the judge ordered that the substantive suit be heard afresh, with the Independent National Electoral Commission, National Democratic Congress and Peace Movement Party joined as parties in the case .
The judgement, no doubt, nullifies earlier court order compelling INEC to recognize the NDC as a registered political party and reopens the legal battle facing the party’s registration.
The development has triggered political discourse with many analysts seeing it as a calculated move by the ruling APC to strangulate opposition parties.
In a swift reaction to the judgement the NDC rejected the ruling describing it as mischievous and unfortunate.
The national chairman of National Democratic Congress , Moses Zuwoghe argued that the NDC was registered after filling a law suit against INEC before the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, in December, 2025, stating that the party since then has moved on.
He however, questioned the local standi of PMP in the case as it is not a registered party and does not seek to be one so soon.
Mr Zuwoghe stressed that the NDC has been able to meet all requirements needed to be recognised as a political party including the conduct of its ward, local government, state and national Congresses which produced the party’s candidates for various elective positions.
He added that the party will appeal the judgement and remained optimistic that NDC will emerge victorious from the suit, assuring party fateful and Nigerians that NDC candidates will contest the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile,the coming days is expected to determine the political dynamics of the country,thereby shaping the 2027 general elections.
Observers say all eyes are on the judiciary as the hope of the common man,to save the country from the one party state it is obviously drifting to.
Leave a Reply