The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has vowed to challenge a Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja that set aside an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.
The party, in a statement issued by its National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, disclosed that its legal team has been instructed to immediately appeal the decision at the Court of Appeal.
Cleopas explained that the latest ruling arose from an application brought by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which he described as an unregistered association unfamiliar to the NDC.
He recalled that the Federal High Court had, in December 2025, affirmed the party’s constitutional right to freedom of association and ordered INEC to grant it registration as a political party.
According to him, following that judgment, the NDC embarked on membership registration nationwide, conducted ward, local government, state and national congresses, organised its national convention, and completed its primary elections in line with INEC’s electoral timetable.
The chairman also stated that the party participated in recent bye-elections held in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has already produced candidates for all elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing concerns over the latest court ruling, the party maintained that it had not been deregistered.
“There was no order directing our deregistration. 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. We have no doubt that justice will be done.”
The NDC further insisted that all candidates nominated on its platform remain validly sponsored pending the outcome of the appeal.
It argued that the Federal High Court had become “functus officio” after delivering its final judgment on the matter, adding that issues relating to its logo and symbol had already been resolved in the earlier decision without any appeal being filed.
The party also maintained that the Peace Movement Party is neither a registered political party nor an association participating in the ongoing political party registration process.
“To now try to upturn that verdict through the back door, via a motion, is not only unheard-of, but also illegal and an outright abuse of court process,” the statement added.
The NDC accused unnamed individuals of attempting to suppress opposition politics and restrict Nigeria’s democratic space.
“We condemn efforts by those who seek to shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices and alternatives.
“Nigerians have a right to a full range of opinions, ideas, and alternatives, and political platforms and candidates should be allowed to participate in the 2027 general election process.”
The party expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would overturn the ruling in its favour.
