The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced plans to challenge a ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, insisting that the party remains legally registered and fully committed to participating in the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Friday, the party said its attention had been drawn to a ruling delivered by Justice Isah Dashen on an application filed by an unregistered association known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP).
According to the NDC, its journey to becoming a registered political party began in December 2025 after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declined its registration request. The party said it approached the Federal High Court, which upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association and ordered INEC to register it as a political party.
Since securing registration, the NDC said it has actively participated in Nigeria’s political process. The party noted that it has conducted nationwide membership registration, held congresses from ward to national levels, organised its national convention, and successfully concluded primary elections for all elective offices in line with INEC’s timetable.
The party also pointed out that it fielded candidates and participated in the recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states. It added that candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, President, and Vice President have already been nominated and are being prepared for formal submission to INEC.
The NDC questioned the legal standing of the Peace Movement Party, describing it as an unregistered association with no role in the current political process. According to the party, PMP’s application was based on a claim that it had sought registration in 2015 using the “victory sign” as its proposed symbol but was denied.
The NDC argued that PMP is neither seeking registration under the current exercise nor participating as a registered political party. It further maintained that the Federal High Court had already delivered a final judgment in its case against INEC and had addressed all issues relating to claims over party symbols and colours. The party stressed that there is no appeal against that judgment.
Expressing surprise over the latest ruling, the NDC argued that the trial court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment and therefore lacked jurisdiction to revisit the matter.
According to the party, Justice Dashen’s latest order set aside the court’s earlier judgment delivered in December 2025. However, the NDC clarified that the ruling did not direct INEC to deregister the party.
Despite its dissatisfaction with the decision, the NDC said it has instructed its legal team to immediately file an appeal at the Court of Appeal to challenge both the court’s jurisdiction and the propriety of the ruling.
The party reassured its members, supporters, and candidates that its political activities would continue uninterrupted.
“Our party remains on course. The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are confident that the Court of Appeal will do justice to the issues raised,” the statement said.
The party also condemned what it described as attempts to shrink Nigeria’s democratic space and suppress opposition voices, insisting that Nigerians deserve a broad range of political choices.
It maintained that all qualified political parties and candidates should be allowed to participate freely in the 2027 general election process, which it said is already well underway.
