NDC responds to court ruling, says it has not been deregistered.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected the Federal High Court in Lokoja’s Friday ruling that overturned the earlier decision requiring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.

The party insists it has not been deregistered.

In a post‑ruling statement, the NDC expressed surprise at the court’s decision to set aside its December 2025 judgment, which had been prompted by an application from the Peace Movement Party (PMP)—an organization the NDC says is unregistered and unknown to it.

The NDC maintained that following the December 2025 judgment, INEC registered the party, allowing it to launch political activities, enroll members, hold ward, state and national congresses, conduct conventions, and carry out primaries for elective offices in accordance with the electoral timetable.

The party also claims to have fielded candidates in the recent by‑elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and to have nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice‑presidential contests.

The NDC argued that the Federal High Court had become ‘functus officio’ after issuing its final judgment in the case against INEC and had already dealt with matters concerning the party’s logo and colours.

It contended that the Peace Movement Party—claiming ownership of the victory sign used by the NDC—was neither a registered political party nor involved in the current registration process.

The NDC further stated that the court’s latest ruling did not explicitly order its deregistration, contrary to reports implying otherwise.

The party said it has instructed its legal team to promptly challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal, contesting the court’s jurisdiction and the propriety of the decision.

“We assure