The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the Federal High Court ruling that set aside its earlier judgment compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.
It described the move as illegal and an abuse of court process.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the party maintained that it remained a legally- recognised political party and had already instructed its lawyers to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
The NDC argued that the application, which led to the latest ruling, was filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), an association it said “is neither a registered political party nor a participant in the ongoing political process.”
According to the party, the Federal High Court had, in December 2025, upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association and ordered INEC to register it after the commission initially declined its application. Since then, it said it has conducted nationwide membership registration, held congresses and a national convention, concluded primary elections, and participated in recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states.
The party also disclosed that it had nominated candidates for all elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections and was preparing to submit their names to INEC in line with the electoral timetable.
The NDC contended that the trial court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment and, therefore, lacked jurisdiction to revisit the matter through a motion filed by the PMP.
While acknowledging that the court set aside its earlier judgment, the party stressed that there was no order directing its deregistration.
It described attempts to overturn the original judgment through a motion, instead of an appeal, as “illegal” and “an outright abuse of court process,” arguing that any window for appealing the December 2025 judgment had long closed.
The party further accused unnamed individuals of attempting to use the judiciary to narrow Nigeria’s democratic space and suppress opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Assuring its members, candidates and supporters, the NDC said all nominations already made remain valid and expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would overturn the ruling and affirm its legal status.
