The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced plans to challenge a ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which reportedly set aside an earlier judgment that led to the party’s registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the party said it had instructed its legal team to immediately appeal the decision delivered on Friday by Justice Isah Dashen.
According to the NDC, the court ruling arose from an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), an association the party described as unregistered and unknown to it. The NDC argued that the application was based on a claim that PMP had sought registration as a political party in 2015 using the “victory sign” as its symbol but was denied.
The party maintained that the Federal High Court had, in December 2025, delivered a final judgment compelling INEC to register the NDC after finding that the commission violated its constitutional right to freedom of association by refusing its registration.
Following the judgment, the NDC said it was duly registered by INEC and had since carried out nationwide political activities, including membership registration, congresses from the ward to national levels, conventions, and party primaries in line with INEC’s timetable.
The party also stated that it participated in the recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and had nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the latest court decision, the NDC questioned the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to revisit its earlier judgment, arguing that the court had become a functus officio after delivering its final verdict.
The party further contended that issues relating to the use of its party symbol and colours had already been determined in the earlier judgment and that no appeal had been filed against that decision.
While confirming that the court did not order its deregistration, the NDC insisted that it remained a legally registered political party and assured its members, supporters and candidates that its participation in the 2027 electoral process remained unaffected.
“We have not been deregistered. We are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal and are confident that justice will prevail,” the statement read.
The party also condemned what it described as attempts to “shrink the democratic space” and limit opposition participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the NDC, if the Peace Movement Party was dissatisfied with the original judgment that led to its registration, the appropriate legal remedy would have been to file an appeal within the stipulated time, rather than seek to overturn the judgment through a motion.
The NDC thanked its members, supporters and candidates for their continued confidence in the party and reaffirmed that all nominations already made remained valid pending the outcome of the appeal.
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