A Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
The court ruled that all relevant parties in the matter must be heard before any substantive decision can be reached.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Isah Dashen held that certain material facts were not disclosed during the earlier proceedings, making it necessary to vacate the previous judgment.
The judge subsequently ordered that the substantive suit be heard afresh, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and the Peace Movement Party (PMP) joined as parties in the case.
The decision effectively nullifies the earlier order compelling INEC to recognise the NDC as a registered political party and reopens the legal battle surrounding the party’s registration.
The development is expected to shape ongoing discussions on political party registration and the legal requirements governing the recognition of political associations seeking participation in Nigeria’s electoral process.
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