The court has overturned the judgment recognising the NDC as a political party.
Glamtush reports that a Federal High Court in Lokoja has set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party, effectively reopening the legal dispute over the party’s recognition.
The ruling, delivered on Friday by Justice Isah Dashen, restores the status that existed before the December 10, 2025 judgment pending a fresh hearing of the case.
The presiding judge ruled that the previous judgment could not stand because all parties with an interest in the matter were not allowed to be heard. The court agreed that the Peace Movement Party (PMP) was a necessary party to the proceedings, adding that the omission rendered the earlier decision constitutionally defective and invalid.
Justice Dashen further directed that the substantive suit should commence afresh with INEC, the NDC and the PMP joined as parties. He also noted that material facts had not been disclosed during the earlier proceedings, a factor the court said justified setting aside its previous judgment and returning the case for a fresh determination.
Counsel to the applicant, Chikezie Ekeocha, told journalists that the PMP approached the court after discovering that NDC’s registration was based on a logo it had previously submitted to INEC before the commencement of the suit.
Ekeocha stressed that the court agreed that the applicant’s rights had been affected and consequently vacated the earlier judgment.
“The court has ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the judgment of December 10, 2025, and directed the claimants to join all necessary parties to ensure the issues in dispute are effectually and completely determined,” he said.
Counsel to the applicant explained that the ruling means that every action taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment is reversed.
“The recognition of the NDC, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” Ekeocha stated.
However, Ekeocha clarified that the substantive case remains before the court and has not been decided.
“The matter has not been concluded. The court merely set aside its previous judgment and directed that the party whose interests were affected be joined so that all sides can be heard before a fresh decision is reached.”
Ekeocha also dismissed suggestions that the court merely ordered parties to maintain the status quo, insisting that the ruling specifically directed a restoration of the position that existed before the December 10, 2025 judgment.
While the judgment does not personally disqualify Peter Obi from running for president, it, however, temporarily removes the legal foundation for the NDC’s registration.
Unless the NDC regains legal recognition through the fresh court proceedings or another lawful process, it cannot ordinarily sponsor candidates for election, including a presidential candidate. Whether Peter Obi can ultimately contest on the NDC platform will depend on the outcome of the fresh hearing and any subsequent actions by INEC and the courts.
If this judgment stands as described, it creates a significant legal obstacle for Peter Obi’s emergence as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate—but it does not automatically disqualify him from contesting if the issue is later resolved.
