A Federal High Court in Lokoja has set aside its previous judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
Justice Isah Dashen delivered the ruling on Friday, upholding an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP) to be joined as an interested party.
The judge ruled that the December 10, 2025, judgment was defective because not all necessary parties were heard, rendering the proceedings a nullity. He also noted that material facts were suppressed when obtaining the earlier order.
“The failure to hear the interested party rendered the proceedings a nullity,” Justice Dashen held, according to court proceedings.
The court ordered a restoration of the status quo pending the hearing of the substantive suit, directing that the case should start afresh with INEC, PMP and NDC as parties.
INEC had registered the NDC based on the now-vacated judgment in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025 between Takori Mohammed Sanni & Ors v. INEC. The registration was intended for the party’s participation in the 2027 general elections.
Counsel to PMP, C.S. Ekeocha, welcomed the decision, explaining that his client acted after discovering the NDC’s registration relied on a logo previously submitted to INEC.
“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,” Ekeocha said.
He added that all actions taken by INEC in compliance with the vacated judgment, including the issuance of a certificate of registration, must be reversed.
“The recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, 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registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” Ekeocha stated.
The substantive matter remains pending before the court.
