The Federal High Court in Lokoja has set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), throwing the party’s legal status into fresh uncertainty pending the determination of a dispute over its logo.
Justice Isah Dashen delivered the ruling on Friday after the Peace Movement Party (PMP) challenged the earlier judgment, claiming ownership of the logo used by the NDC in securing its registration.
The decision effectively vacates the court’s December 10, 2025 judgment, which had ordered INEC to register the NDC as a political party.
Speaking after the proceedings, counsel to the applicant, C.S. Ekeocha, said the court agreed that the Peace Movement Party’s interests were affected because it was not joined in the original suit despite laying claim to the disputed logo.
According to him, the court ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the December 10 judgment and directed the claimants to include all necessary parties before the case is heard afresh. “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.
He explained that the ruling nullifies every action taken by INEC based on the earlier judgment. “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registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” he added.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, however, stressed that the court did not determine the substantive case. “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.”
The ruling represents another legal setback in the lead-up to the 2027 general election, where the NDC is expected to feature prominently.
Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and the NDC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election, has yet to react publicly to the latest court decision.
Earlier on Friday, Obi urged that the implementation of the proposed state police system be postponed until after the 2027 elections, arguing that it could be exploited for political purposes if introduced before the polls.
