NDC insists it remains legally recognised, appeals court judgment

By Henry Umoru

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has appealed last week’s Lokoja Federal High Court judgment, mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, not to recognise the NDC as a political party pending when all legal issues surrounding it are resolved.

The NDC has maintained that it remains a legally recognised political party despite the recent judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, assuring its members and supporters that the ruling did not amount to the party’s deregistration.

Speaking with Vanguard on the development Monday in Abuja, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said that the party has appealed the case, saying, “Our legal team were in Lokoja to file the stay of execution on the ruling, we are waiting for them to return to Abuja with the documents.”

Meanwhile, the National Secretary of the party, Barr. Ikenna Enekweizu has explained that the court merely set aside an earlier judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC, stressing that the court did not issue any order dissolving or deregistering the party.

Barr. Ikenna stated that, in the party’s view, the NDC remains a valid political party and will continue to carry out its lawful activities across the country. He emphasised that there is no subsisting court order restraining the party from operating, urging members, supporters and candidates to remain calm, united and focused.

The National Secretary disclosed that the party had already instructed its legal team to challenge the Lokoja judgment at the Court of Appeal. He expressed confidence that the appellate court would overturn what the party considers legal errors in the judgment and reaffirm the rights of the NDC.

On preparations for the 2027 general elections, Barr. Ikenna assured all NDC candidates that they had no cause for concern, maintaining that the party remains committed to participating fully in the electoral process. He expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would ultimately be on the ballot and said preparations for the elections would continue uninterrupted despite the ongoing legal challenge.

He further said that the timing of the judgment appeared intended to frustrate the party’s preparations for the forthcoming elections but insisted that the NDC would not be deterred. According to him, the party remains committed to pursuing all lawful avenues to defend democracy, protect the rights of its members and ensure that the will of Nigerians prevails.

Recall that the court had earlier set aside its December 2025 judgment that compelled INEC to register the NDC, following an application filed by an association known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed ownership of the logo used by the NDC in securing its registration.