The Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Federal High Court judgment that set aside the earlier order leading to the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has emerged, intensifying the controversy surrounding the party’s legal status.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, held that the court’s earlier December 2025 ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC was constitutionally defective because interested parties were not heard before the decision was reached.
The court consequently set aside its earlier judgment and ordered that the matter be heard afresh. The ruling followed an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed an interest in the logo and victory sign adopted by the NDC.
The development has generated mixed reactions within political circles, with the NDC insisting that the judgment did not expressly order its deregistration. The party maintained that it remains a valid political platform and has already instructed its legal team to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
NDC leaders argued that the party has been actively participating in the country’s political process since its registration, including conducting congresses, holding primaries and nominating candidates for various elective positions. The party also accused its opponents of attempting to narrow Nigeria’s democratic space by using judicial processes to weaken opposition platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, INEC is yet to make a definitive pronouncement on the matter, indicating that it would review the Certified True Copy of the judgment and obtain legal advice before taking any further steps.
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