The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has said it will challenge a ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja that reportedly set aside an earlier judgment ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the party said the ruling followed an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which it described as an unregistered association.
According to the NDC, it secured a Federal High Court judgment in December 2025 after challenging INEC's refusal to register it as a political party. The party said the court upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association and directed INEC to complete its registration.
The NDC stated that since its registration, it has conducted ward, local government, state and national congresses, held its national convention, concluded primary elections, and participated in INEC's activities. It also said it fielded candidates in recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and is preparing to submit candidates for the 2027 general elections in line with INEC's timetable.
The party argued that the Peace Movement Party is neither a registered political party nor an association participating in the current registration exercise. It maintained that the court had already resolved issues relating to its registration in its earlier judgment and therefore lacked jurisdiction to revisit the matter.
While confirming that the latest ruling set aside the December 2025 judgment, the NDC stressed that the court did not order its deregistration.
The party said it has instructed its legal team to immediately appeal the decision, challenging both the court's jurisdiction and the validity of the order.
"The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today's order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible," the statement read.
The party also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to limit political competition through the courts, arguing that Nigeria's democratic system should allow multiple political parties to participate in the 2027 elections.
The NDC expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would overturn the ruling and urged its members, candidates and supporters to remain calm, insisting that its nominations and political activities remain valid pending the outcome of the appeal.
