The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected the ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, insisting that it has not been deregistered and vowing to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Isah Dashen on Friday, followed an application filed by Peace Movement Party (PMP).
Reacting to the development in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Sen. Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the NDC described the PMP as an unregistered association.
Zuwoghe recalled that in December 2025, the NDC, then an association, challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s refusal to register it as a political party and subsequently approached the Federal High Court.
He stated that the Federal High Court upheld the NDC’s constitutional right to freedom of association and compelled INEC to register the party, which it subsequently did.
Zuwoghe stressed that since then, the party had commenced political activities, embarked on the registration of members, held congresses from the ward to the national level, conducted conventions, and concluded primaries for all elective offices in line with INEC’s timetable.
He disclosed that the party had been fully participating in all INEC activities without let or hindrance.
“NDC also fielded candidates, and fully participated, in the just-concluded bye elections in Nasarawa and Enugu States. Candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, Presidential, and Vice-Presidential positions have been duly nominated, and we are in the process of formally submitting them to INEC in accordance with INEC’s timetable,” he said.
Zuwoghe reiterated that the association that filed the application was unknown to the NDC, adding that the PMP is not a registered political party in Nigeria.
“They claimed, in a motion (not even a substantive suit or appeal), that the court should set aside its earlier judgment on the purported ground that, in 2015, they had sought registration as a political party with the victory sign as their symbol and were denied.
“It is important to note that they are not an association applying for registration now under the exercise that started last year. They are also not a registered political party in Nigeria participating in the political process now, as we are,” he asserted.
The NDC National Chairman stressed that the court, having delivered a final judgment in the party’s suit against INEC, had become functus officio.
According to him, the court had also dealt with all related issues concerning associations claiming they wanted to use the same symbol and colours.
“The court, in its judgment, overruled INEC when those issues were raised, and there is no appeal against that judgment,” he stated.
“Therefore, we are surprised that, on an application by an association claiming that it wanted to register as a political party with the victory sign in 2015—an association that is not a registered political party and is not seeking registration now to participate in the current political process — His Lordship came to the conclusion that they have locus standi, and furthermore, that he has jurisdiction to do what he did.”
He asserted that the judge made an order setting aside the court’s earlier decision of December 2025, maintaining that there was no order directing the deregistration of the NDC.
While expressing dissatisfaction with the ruling, he confirmed that the party’s legal team would immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge the jurisdiction and propriety of the order.
Zuwoghe assured the general public, particularly the NDC’s candidates at all levels, that the party remained on course.
“The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible,” he maintained. “We have no doubt that justice will be done.”
He condemned efforts by those seeking to shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices and alternatives.
Zuwoghe emphasised that Nigerians have a right to a full range of opinions, ideas, and alternatives, adding that political parties and candidates should be allowed to participate in the 2027 general election process, which, according to him, has already reached its midway point.
He noted that it was too late for anyone to attempt to use the judiciary to derail or narrow Nigeria’s multi-party democratic space, explaining that if the PMP had been a party affected by the judgment in the NDC’s initial suit, its only option would have been to appeal the verdict — an option it failed to pursue.
He further argued that the window for such an appeal had long closed and that any appeal filed now would be statute-barred.
Zuwoghe lamented that attempting to overturn the judgment through the back door by way of a motion was not only unheard of but also illegal and an outright abuse of court process.
He expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their support and thanked the party’s candidates, members, and supporters for their confidence and trust in the NDC.
He assured them that all nominations made by the party remain valid, that the party’s platform remains strong and legally recognised, and expressed confidence that justice would ultimately prevail.
