By SCM Reporter
LOKOJA — A major legal storm has hit the Nigerian political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has set aside its earlier judgment which compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
The ruling, delivered on Friday morning by the presiding judge, Honourable Justice Isah Dashen, followed an application filed by an unregistered association known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP). The PMP had approached the court claiming a prior right to the “victory sign” symbol, which the NDC currently uses.
In a swift and fiery reaction, the leadership of the NDC condemned the ruling, describing it as an attempt to “shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices.”
The party announced that it has already instructed its legal team to immediately appeal the judgment, insisting that the High Court judge lacked the jurisdiction to reverse a final judgment it had previously delivered.
The legal battle dates back to December 2025, when the NDC—then a political association—successfully sued INEC at the Federal High Court following the electoral umpire’s initial refusal to grant it official registration.
In that landmark December 2025 judgment, the court upheld the NDC’s constitutional right to freedom of association and ordered INEC to register it.
Following the order, INEC complied, and the NDC fully integrated into the political system. Over the last six months, the party has established structures across the country, conducting ward, local government, and national congresses.
The NDC has also been an active participant in recent political contests, fielding candidates in the just-concluded bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states.
Furthermore, the party has concluded its primary elections, successfully nominating candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, and the Presidential and Vice-Presidential tickets for the 2027 general elections.
The fresh disruption stems from a motion filed by the PMP, a group the NDC claims is entirely unknown to the current political process. The PMP argued that back in 2015, it sought registration from INEC using the “victory sign” as its symbol but was denied. On the strength of this decade-old grievance, the group asked the court to nullify the NDC’s registration.
In a strongly worded press statement, the NDC questioned how an association that is not currently seeking registration and is not a registered party could be granted locus standi (legal standing) to upend an ongoing democratic process.
The NDC statement read in part:
”The court, having delivered a final judgment in our suit against INEC, had become functus officio (lacked further judicial authority over the matter).
The court had also dealt with all related issues concerning associations claiming they wanted to use the same symbol and colours. Therefore, we are surprised that His Lordship came to the conclusion that they have locus standi, and furthermore, that he has jurisdiction to do what he did.”
NDC Reassures Candidates, Asserts 2027 Readiness
Despite the setback, the NDC clarified that Justice Dashen’s order did not explicitly direct INEC to deregister the party, but merely set aside the December 2025 decision.
The party urged its members, supporters, and all nominated candidates nationwide to remain calm, assuring them that its legal team is moving aggressively to the Court of Appeal to set aside Friday’s ruling.
”We assure the general public, and particularly our candidates at all levels, that our party is on course. The NDC has not been deregistered. Nigerians have a right to a full range of opinions, ideas, and alternatives, and political platforms should be allowed to participate in the 2027 general election process, which has already gone midway,” the party added.
As the political atmosphere intensifies ahead of 2027, all eyes now turn to the appellate court to see if the NDC can rescue its legal status and keep its electoral dreams alive.
