By Daily Review Online
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has insisted that it has not been deregistered as a political party, despite a Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja, Kogi State, setting aside an earlier judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.
In a statement issued https://dailyreviewonline-ng.com/2026/06/26/95906/ Friday and signed by its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the party said it had instructed its lawyers to immediately challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal, describing the decision as legally flawed.
The party explained that it was registered by INEC following a December 2025 Federal High Court judgment, which upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association after the electoral commission initially refused to register it.
According to the NDC, it has since operated as a registered political party, conducted membership registration, held ward, local government, state and national congresses, organised its national convention, and concluded primary elections for all elective offices in line with INEC’s timetable.
The party also noted that it participated in the recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has already nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections, with preparations underway to formally submit the names to INEC.
Reacting to the latest court ruling, the NDC said the application was brought by an association known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which it claimed is neither a registered political party nor an association currently seeking registration under INEC’s ongoing political party registration exercise.
The party argued that the court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment in December 2025 and therefore lacked the jurisdiction to revisit the matter through a motion filed by a third party.
“There was no order directing our deregistration,” the statement said, adding that while the party disagreed with the ruling, it remained a legally registered political party pending the outcome of its appeal.
The NDC further alleged that the attempt to overturn the earlier judgment through a motion amounted to an abuse of court process, insisting that any party dissatisfied with the original judgment ought to have appealed within the legally prescribed period.
The party also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to use the judiciary to restrict political competition and weaken opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We assure the general public, and particularly our candidates at all levels, that our party is on course. The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible,” the statement read.
The NDC thanked its members, supporters and candidates for their continued confidence, maintaining that all nominations already made remain valid and expressing confidence that the appellate court would overturn the Lokoja ruling.