NDC Rejects Derecognition Ruling, Takes Case to Appeal Court

By Enitan Abdultawab

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected a decision by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which overturned a prior judgment that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party. The NDC maintains that it remains registered and will immediately appeal to the Court of Appeal.

In a statement released on Friday, the party expressed dissatisfaction with Justice Isah Dashen’s ruling, calling the decision “surprising” and “legally questionable.”

The court had previously set aside its December 2025 judgment that required INEC to register the NDC, after an application was filed by an association called the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed ownership of the logo the NDC used to obtain registration.

The NDC responded by stating that the PMP is neither a registered political party nor an association currently involved in the political process.

“The association that filed the complaint is unknown to us. The Peace Movement Party (PMP) is not a registered political party in Nigeria,” the party stated.

The NDC said it had been registered by INEC following a court order and has since carried out extensive political activities, including membership registration, congresses, conventions, primary elections, and participation in by-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states.

“Since then, we have started political activities, embarked on the registration of members, held congresses from ward to national levels, held conventions, and concluded primaries to all offices following INEC’s timetable,” the statement read.

The party also noted that it had nominated candidates for various elective offices—including governorship, National Assembly, presidential and vice‑presidential positions—and was preparing to submit their names to INEC in accordance with the commission’s timetable.

Questioning the court’s basis, the NDC argued