Court Sets Aside Judgment Ordering INEC to Register NDC as Political Party
The Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
Delivering the ruling on Friday, Justice Isah Dashen held that all parties with an interest in the matter must be given an opportunity to be heard before any substantive decision can be reached.
The court upheld an application filed by the Peace Movement Party, ruling that the party is a necessary party to the suit and should have been included in the proceedings.
Justice Dashen stated that the earlier judgment delivered on December 10, 2025, was constitutionally flawed because it was made without hearing from all relevant parties. According to the court, the omission rendered the proceedings defective.
The judge further noted that certain material facts were not disclosed during the earlier proceedings, a development he said justified the decision to vacate the judgment.
As a result, the court ordered that the status quo be restored to what it was before the December 2025 ruling pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The court also directed that the matter be heard afresh, with INEC, the Peace Movement Party and the Nigeria Democratic Congress joined as parties to the case.
The ruling effectively suspends the legal basis upon which the NDC sought recognition as a political party, pending the outcome of the fresh proceedings.
However, the court did not make any pronouncement on the eligibility of any individual for future elections. Any suggestion that particular aspirants or candidates would be excluded from future polls remains speculative unless further legal or electoral decisions are made by the courts or INEC.
The case is expected to resume with all parties participating in the fresh hearing.
Court Sets Aside Judgment Ordering INEC to Register NDC as Political Party