The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the process of removing the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) from its register of political parties following a Federal High Court ruling that nullified the judgment compelling the commission to register the party.
INEC disclosed that it has applied for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the latest judgment and will take appropriate action after obtaining the document.
Speaking on the development, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the commission would comply with the court’s decision.
Haruna explained that before the December 10, 2025 judgment, INEC had rejected the NDC’s application for registration as a political party.
The latest development follows Friday’s ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which set aside the earlier judgment ordering INEC to register the NDC.
The court held that the previous ruling affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed ownership of the logo allegedly used by the NDC but was not joined as a party in the original suit.
Counsel to the PMP, C. S. Ekeocha, said the ruling effectively reversed all actions taken under the earlier judgment, including the NDC’s recognition as a political party, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers.
The court also directed all parties to return to the position they occupied before the December 10, 2025 judgment and ordered that all necessary parties be joined in the substantive case.
Although the NDC’s registration is expected to be withdrawn for now, the court clarified that the substantive suit challenging the party’s registration remains pending. The party’s final legal status will be determined after the case is fully heard.
