Federal High Court Overturns Judgment Ordering INEC to Register NDC

A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress as a political party.

Justice Isah Dashen, who delivered the ruling on Friday, held that the court’s December 10, 2025 judgment adversely affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party, which was not joined as a party in the suit.

The Peace Movement Party had claimed ownership of the logo relied upon in obtaining the judgment that led to the registration of the NDC.

Counsel to the applicant, C.S. Ekeocha, told journalists after the ruling that the Peace Movement Party approached the court after discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo it had earlier submitted to INEC before the suit was filed.

According to Ekeocha, the court agreed that the applicant’s rights had been affected because it was not made a party to the proceedings.

The court consequently vacated the earlier judgment and directed that all necessary parties be joined in the matter.

Ekeocha explained that the implication of the ruling is that every action taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment must be reversed.

“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registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” Ekeocha stated.

He, however, clarified that the substantive case remains before the court and has not been decided on its merits.

“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.

Ekeocha also dismissed suggestions that the court merely ordered parties to maintain the status quo, insisting that the ruling specifically directed a restoration of the position that existed before the December 10, 2025 judgment.

The ruling effectively returns the dispute over the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing, with all relevant parties expected to participate before a new determination is made.