Just In: INEC set to delist NDC following court ruling

Nigeria's electoral commission, INEC, is poised to remove the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) from its roster of political parties. This action stems from a recent Federal High Court decision that nullified a prior judgment which had mandated the NDC's registration.

INEC had initially rejected the NDC's bid for registration. However, a court ruling in December 2025 directed the commission to recognize the party. INEC stated on Friday that it has requested the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the latest judgment and will proceed according to the court's directive upon receiving it. "We have applied for the Certified True Copy of the judgment. Until we receive it, we cannot be in a position to comment on it," said Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.

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We have applied for the Certified True Copy of the judgment. Until we receive it, we cannot be in a position to comment on it.

Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja overturned his own earlier judgment from December 10, 2025. The court found that the initial ruling prejudiced the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which was not a party to the original lawsuit, despite claiming ownership of the logo the NDC used to secure the registration order. C. S. Ekeocha, counsel for the PMP, stated that the ruling effectively reversed all actions taken based on the previous judgment. "The recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, 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registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit," he said.

The court has ordered all parties to revert to their positions before the December 10, 2025 judgment. It also directed that all necessary parties be joined to allow for a full determination of the substantive issues. The substantive suit remains pending before the Federal High Court. With the case returning to the trial court for a new hearing, INEC is expected to reinstate the status quo that existed before the December 2025 judgment, pending the final resolution of the case.

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The recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, 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.