The Federal High Court in Lokoja has set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party, effectively reversing all actions taken on the strength of the ruling.
Delivering the judgment on Friday, Justice Isah Dashen held that the court’s December 10, 2025 decision adversely affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which was not joined in the original suit despite claiming ownership of the logo relied upon to secure the judgment.
Counsel to the applicant, C.S. Ekeocha, said the Peace Movement Party approached the court after discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo it had previously submitted to INEC before the case was filed.
According to Ekeocha, the court agreed that the applicant’s interests had been prejudiced and consequently vacated its earlier judgment.
“The court ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the judgment of December 10, 2025, and directed the claimants to join all necessary parties so that the issues in dispute can be effectually and completely determined,” he said.
He explained that the ruling nullifies every action taken by INEC in compliance with the earlier judgment.
“This means the recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” Ekeocha stated.
He, however, clarified that the substantive case remains before the court and has not been decided on its merits.
“The matter has not been concluded. The court merely set aside its previous judgment and directed that the party whose interests were affected be joined so that all parties can be heard before a fresh decision is reached,” he added.
Ekeocha also dismissed suggestions that the court only ordered parties to maintain the status quo, insisting the ruling specifically restored all parties to the position they occupied before the December 10, 2025 judgment.
The decision effectively returns the dispute over the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing, with all relevant parties expected to participate before a new ruling is delivered.
