Abuja – The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected a ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, insisting that it remains a duly registered political party and announcing plans to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the party said it was dissatisfied with the ruling delivered by Justice Isah Dashen on an application filed by an association identified as the Peace Movement Party (PMP).
According to the NDC, the court’s decision stemmed from a motion filed by the association, which allegedly sought to set aside an earlier judgment delivered in December 2025 that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.
The NDC maintained that it was lawfully registered following that judgment and has since carried out political activities, including nationwide membership registration, ward, local government, state and national congresses, party conventions, and primary elections in line with INEC’s timetable.
The party also said it participated in the recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections ahead of the 2027 general polls.
The party argued that the Peace Movement Party is neither a registered political party nor an association currently seeking registration under INEC’s ongoing political party registration exercise. It further contended that the Federal High Court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment in December 2025 and therefore lacked jurisdiction to revisit the matter.
While acknowledging that the court reportedly set aside its earlier judgment, the NDC stressed that there was no order directing its deregistration.
“There was no order directing our deregistration. We have instructed our legal team to immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge the jurisdiction and propriety of the order,” the statement read.
The party assured its members, supporters and candidates that its political activities and nominations remain valid pending the outcome of the appeal.
The NDC also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to use the judiciary to shrink Nigeria’s democratic space and stifle opposition voices, insisting that political parties should be allowed to participate freely in the 2027 electoral process.
“We have no doubt that justice will be done,” the party stated, expressing confidence that the appellate court would overturn the ruling.
The Federal High Court and the Peace Movement Party had not issued any response to the NDC’s claims as of the time of filing this report.
