Former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso are at the forefront of the Nigeria Democratic Congress’s (NDC) efforts to challenge a Federal High Court ruling that set aside the party’s registration, with an appeal scheduled for Monday.
The NDC leadership has held emergency strategy sessions involving Obi, party national leader Seriake Dickson, and other stakeholders to prepare its legal response following the Lokoja court decision.
A senior party official, speaking anonymously, confirmed marathon closed-door meetings on Saturday and Sunday to finalise the appeal strategy.
National Secretary Ikenna Enekweizu described the judgment as “unprecedented and lacking any legal foundation,” vowing the party would pursue the matter to its conclusion.
“I can assure you that all our candidates, from presidential candidate, His Excellency Peter Obi, his running mate and all our candidates up to the House of Assembly level, will all be on the ballot,” he stated.
Kwankwaso, after meeting Dickson in Abuja, expressed confidence that the party would overcome the setback. “No temporary setback can weaken the spirit of a movement built on hope, justice, equity and the collective aspirations of the Nigerian people,” he said.
The ruling has sparked condemnation from opposition figures who view it as an attempt to weaken challengers ahead of the 2027 elections.
The NDC insists the decision does not prevent its participation and has activated public engagement strategies with civil society groups.
