NDC Rejects Court Ruling, Insists Party Has Not Been Deregistered

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) rejected the Federal High Court’s decision setting aside an earlier judgment that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party. 

In a statement issued by the party’s National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, the NDC announced that it has instructed its legal team to immediately challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal. 

According to Cleopas, the application that led to the latest judgment was filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which he described as an unregistered association unknown to the NDC. 

He recalled that the Federal High Court had, in December 2025, ruled in favour of the party by affirming its constitutional right to freedom of association and directing INEC to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress as a political party. 

Following that judgment, Cleopas said the NDC registered members nationwide, conducted ward, local government, state, and national congresses, held its national convention, and completed party primaries in line with INEC’s electoral timetable. 

He added that the party had also participated in recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and had nominated candidates for elective offices ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

Addressing concerns arising from the latest NDC court ruling, the party insisted that the court did not order its deregistration. “There was no order directing our deregistration. 

We assure the general public, and particularly our candidates at all levels, that our party is on course. The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal.” 

The party maintained that all nominations made on its platform remain valid unless a higher court rules otherwise. 

The NDC further argued that the Federal High Court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment in the case and contended that issues relating to its logo and symbol had already been determined without any appeal against that earlier decision. 

It also argued that the Peace Movement Party is neither a registered political party nor an association involved in the current registration process, describing the latest application as an abuse of court process. 

The party accused unnamed individuals of attempting to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process by restricting political competition and suppressing opposition voices. 

While expressing confidence that the Court of Appeal will overturn the decision, the NDC reaffirmed its commitment to participating in the 2027 general elections and insisted that its legal status remains intact pending the outcome of the appeal.