Court Sets Aside NDC Recognition Judgment

A Federal High Court 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. Justice Isah Dashen delivered the ruling in a suit marked FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025. He held that the December 10, 2025 judgment was reached without hearing all necessary parties. This rendered the proceedings constitutionally defective.

The ruling followed an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP). The PMP argued that it had a legal interest in the case. It should have been made a party before the court delivered judgment. Justice Dashen agreed with the PMP’s argument.

The judge held that the applicant had established sufficient interest to be a party in the proceedings. He said the omission of the PMP rendered the entire process null and void. He also held that material facts were not disclosed during the earlier proceedings. This made it necessary to vacate the previous order.

Justice Dashen ordered that the status quo be restored to what it was before the December 2025 judgment. This will remain pending the determination of the substantive suit. The court also ordered that the substantive suit begin afresh. INEC, the PMP, and the NDC are now joined as parties.

On February 5, 2026, INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan said “only two” out of the eight associations qualified for final assessment. Despite not being part of the pre-qualified associations, the NDC was also registered by INEC. Amupitan had earlier explained that the court order compelled INEC to register the NDC.

This ruling is a major setback for the NDC as it challenges the party’s legal recognition. The court’s decision to set aside the judgment means the party’s status remains uncertain pending the fresh hearing. The substantive suit will now determine the final fate of the NDC. All parties are expected to present their cases afresh.