A Federal High Court in Lokoja has nullified the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reverse all actions taken pursuant to an earlier judgment that recognized the party.
The ruling, delivered on Friday, set aside the court’s previous judgment in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025, which had directed INEC to register the NDC as a political party.
With the latest decision, the court effectively returned the NDC to its pre-registration status, meaning the party currently lacks legal recognition and cannot participate in electoral activities as a registered political party.
The case arose from objections raised by rival political interests, particularly the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), which challenged the circumstances surrounding the NDC’s registration.
The challengers contended that the NDC failed to satisfy key registration requirements stipulated by INEC, including the completion of necessary application procedures and the submission of essential documents required for registration.
After considering the arguments before it, the court agreed that the basis upon which the earlier registration order was granted could not be sustained and consequently vacated the judgment.
The decision has far-reaching implications for the party, which emerged on the political scene following the court-ordered registration and had begun positioning itself as a platform for participation in the 2027 electoral cycle.
By setting aside the earlier judgment, the court also nullified every action taken by INEC pursuant to that ruling, including the party’s inclusion among recognized political parties.
Legal analysts say the judgment does not necessarily mark the end of the dispute, as the affected parties may seek redress at a higher court or pursue fresh legal steps to secure registration.
However, unless the ruling is overturned or a fresh registration process is successfully completed, the NDC remains outside the list of legally recognized political parties in Nigeria.
The development is expected to generate significant political and legal debate, particularly as political realignments and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum.
For now, the court’s decision has restored the status quo before the December 2025 judgment, leaving the future of the NDC dependent on the outcome of further legal proceedings and any subsequent action by INEC.