A Federal High Court in Lokoja has set aside its earlier judgment directing INEC to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress as a political party.
LOKOJA, KOGI STATE — The Federal High Court in Lokoja has vacated its earlier judgment that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party. The ruling was delivered on Friday by Justice Isah Dashen, who held that all interested parties must be heard before any substantive decision is taken.
According to the court, the Peace Movement Party (PMP) was a necessary party to the suit and should have been included in the earlier proceedings. Justice Dashen ruled that the previous judgment was constitutionally defective because it was delivered without hearing from all parties with an interest in the matter.
The judge further stated that certain material facts had been suppressed during the earlier proceedings, a development that justified setting aside the order. He directed that the status quo before the December 10, 2025 judgment be restored pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The court also ordered that the case begin afresh, with INEC, the PMP and the NDC joined as parties in the new proceedings. The latest decision means the legal dispute surrounding the registration of the NDC remains unresolved and will return to court for fresh hearing.
Reports have linked former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso to the NDC. However, the court did not make any pronouncement on their eligibility to contest future elections. Any suggestion that they have automatically been barred from participating in the next election remains subject to future legal and political developments.
The development means the registration status of the NDC remains uncertain until the court reaches a final decision in the substantive suit. It also places renewed attention on the legal requirements for political party registration and the importance of hearing all interested parties before major judicial decisions are made.
