Nigeria Democratic Congress Rejects Court Ruling, Vows Appeal

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has declared its rejection of a Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja that nullified a previous judgment compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party. The NDC maintains its legal recognition and has announced immediate plans to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

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The ruling neither directed its deregistration nor invalidated the nominations of its candidates for the 2027 general elections.

National Chairman Sen. Moses Cleopas stated at a press conference in Abuja that the court's ruling did not order the party's deregistration nor invalidate its candidates' nominations for the 2027 general elections. He urged members and supporters to remain calm, describing the court's decision as legally flawed and arguing that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to revisit a matter on which it had already issued a final judgment.

Cleopas identified the Peace Movement Party (PMP), an unregistered association, as the entity behind the application that led to Friday's ruling. He asserted that the PMP was neither a participant in the original lawsuit nor currently recognized as a registered political party. The NDC has instructed its legal team to file an appeal, contesting both the court's jurisdiction and the propriety of its order.

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While describing the court’s decision as legally flawed, he argued that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to revisit a matter on which it had already delivered a final judgment.

The NDC chairman recalled that the party secured a judgment in December 2025 affirming its right to freedom of association and directing INEC to register it after the commission initially refused. Since then, the NDC has conducted nationwide membership registration, held congresses at all levels, concluded primary elections, and participated in INEC's activities, including recent by-elections. The party is currently processing the formal submission of its nominated candidates for various elective offices to INEC.

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The court made no order directing the deregistration of the Nigerian Democratic Congress.