JUST IN: Court Overturns NDC Registration, Orders Fresh Hearing

Blessing Bello, Reporting 

A Federal High Court in Lokoja has set aside its earlier judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party, ruling that the decision was constitutionally flawed because it was reached without hearing all interested parties.

Justice Isah Dashen, presiding, upheld an application brought by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which argued that it was a necessary party to the proceedings and had been wrongly excluded from the original suit.

Delivering his ruling on Friday, the judge declared the December 2025 judgment null and void, noting that certain material facts had been suppressed during the earlier hearings.

He ordered that the status quo be restored to the position before that date, pending the final determination of the substantive matter.

Justice Dashen further directed that the case should commence afresh, with INEC, the PMP, and the NDC all joined as parties to ensure that all sides are properly heard.

Speaking to journalists after the ruling, counsel to the applicant, Chikezie Ekeocha, explained that the PMP had approached the court after discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo which the PMP had previously submitted to INEC before the suit was filed.

“The court agreed that the applicant’s rights had been affected and consequently vacated the earlier judgment,” Mr Ekeocha said.

He added: “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.”

Mr Ekeocha clarified that the ruling effectively reverses every action taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment.

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registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” he stated.

He stressed, however, that the substantive case remains before the court and has not been finally decided. “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.”

Mr Ekeocha also dismissed suggestions that the court had 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 judgment.

The dispute over the NDC’s registration now returns to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing, with all relevant parties expected to participate before a new determination is made.