BREAKING: Court Nullifies Judgment Compelling INEC to Register NDC

BREAKING: Court Nullifies Judgment Compelling INEC to Register NDC

The Court of Appeal has set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party, effectively nullifying the legal basis upon which the party secured its registration.

The appellate court’s decision marks a major twist in the legal battle over the registration of the NDC and is expected to have significant implications for the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The controversy began when the Federal High Court in Lokoja ruled in favour of the NDC, ordering INEC to register the association as a political party after it challenged the commission’s refusal to grant it recognition. In compliance with the court’s directive, INEC subsequently issued the party a certificate of registration.

However, the judgment sparked criticism from other political associations, particularly the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), which argued that the NDC did not satisfy the constitutional and administrative requirements for political party registration as stipulated by the Electoral Act and INEC’s guidelines.

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Dissatisfied with the lower court’s decision, the appellants approached the Court of Appeal, seeking to overturn the judgment on the grounds that due process was not followed and that the registration undermined the integrity of the electoral process.

In its ruling, the appellate court nullified the Federal High Court’s judgment, thereby invalidating the order that compelled INEC to register the NDC. Although the full details of the court’s reasoning are yet to be made public, the decision effectively removes the legal foundation upon which the NDC’s registration was based.

The ruling raises fresh questions over the party’s legal status and whether INEC will withdraw the certificate of registration earlier issued to the NDC in compliance with the now-invalidated judgment.

Political observers believe the judgment could influence ongoing applications by other political associations seeking registration ahead of the next general elections, as it reinforces the importance of compliance with constitutional provisions and INEC’s regulatory framework.

As of the time of filing this report, neither INEC nor the leadership of the NDC had issued an official statement reacting to the Court of Appeal’s verdict. It also remains unclear whether the affected party will approach the Supreme Court to challenge the appellate court’s decision.

The latest ruling is expected to shape the legal and political debates surrounding party registration in Nigeria as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.

BREAKING: Court Nullifies Judgment Compelling INEC to Register NDC