Rule of law ahead of 2027: NDC deregistration judgment exhumes 2023 controversies over Tinubu, Shettima

A judgment by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Nigeria, has reignited controversy surrounding the 2027 elections, specifically concerning the registration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The court reversed its earlier order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC, a party slated to be the platform for opposition figure Peter Obi's presidential bid in the January 2027 election. Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, is expected to be his running mate.

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If we cannot get it right at the polls, if we cannot trust INEC, should we still be apprehensive of the judiciary?

The reversal came after the Peace Movement Party (PMP) approached the court, arguing that the NDC's registration was based on a logo they had previously submitted to INEC. Justice Isah Dashen ruled that the court's initial judgment of December 10, 2025, adversely affected the rights of the PMP, which had not been included as a party in the original suit despite claiming ownership of the logo.

According to C. S. Ekeocha, counsel for the applicant, the court agreed that the PMP's rights were impacted and consequently vacated the earlier judgment. The court has now mandated that all parties revert to their positions prior to the December 10, 2025 ruling. It also directed that the claimants must include all necessary parties to ensure a complete determination of the disputed issues.

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The court has ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the judgment of December 10, 2025, and directed the claimants to join all necessary parties to ensure the issues in dispute are effectually and completely determined.

Ekeocha clarified that the implication of this ruling is that any action taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment is reversed. This includes the recognition and registration of the NDC, its certificate of registration, and its potential appearance on ballot papers. These must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit. The counsel emphasized that the core case has not been decided; the court merely set aside its previous judgment to allow for a fresh hearing with all affected parties present.

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The matter has not been concluded. The court merely set aside its previous judgment and directed that the party whose interests were affected be joined so that all sides can be heard before a fresh decision is reached.