The Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), effectively nullifying the party’s registration pending a fresh hearing over a dispute involving its logo.
Justice Isah Dashen delivered the ruling on Friday, following an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed ownership of the logo relied upon in securing the court’s earlier judgment.
The court had initially, on December 10, 2025, ordered INEC to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress as a political party.
However, the Peace Movement Party later approached the court, arguing that its interests had been adversely affected because it was not joined in the original suit despite claiming ownership of the disputed logo.
Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, counsel to the applicant, C.S. Ekeocha, said the court agreed that the rights of the Peace Movement Party may have been affected and therefore vacated its earlier judgment.
“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 said.
What Ruling Means
According to him, the ruling means that all actions taken by INEC pursuant to the earlier judgment must be reversed pending the final determination of the substantive case.
“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registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” he added.
Ekeocha clarified that the court did not determine the substantive dispute but merely set aside the previous judgment to allow all interested parties to be heard.
“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,” he said.
The latest ruling adds to ongoing legal disputes involving political parties ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
