ABUJA, Nigeria — The decision of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja to vacate its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) raises issues that go beyond one political party, Hon. Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi, ADC Diaspora Leader and Democratic Governance Advocate, has said.
Gbandi, in a statement issued on Friday, said while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is a distinct political party with its own history, structures, ideology, leadership and constitutional identity, the party cannot ignore any development capable of narrowing Nigeria’s democratic space or creating uncertainty around legitimate political alternatives.
According to reports, Justice Isah Dashen set aside the earlier decision on the basis that it was constitutionally defective because all interested parties had not been heard. The court held that no substantive decision should stand where parties whose rights may be affected were excluded from the proceedings.
Gbandi noted that the principle of fair hearing is correct and non-negotiable. “No democracy can survive where courts make far-reaching decisions without giving affected parties a fair opportunity to be heard. Fair hearing is not a favour. It is a constitutional safeguard. It protects individuals, institutions, political associations and the integrity of the judicial process itself,” he said.
However, the ADC chieftain warned that beyond the immediate legal question, Nigerians must also remain alert. He expressed concern that the political atmosphere ahead of 2027 is becoming increasingly tense, with growing concerns about attempts to weaken opposition platforms, frustrate emerging political movements, manipulate electoral opportunities, or use technical processes to create fear and uncertainty among citizens seeking alternatives to the ruling party.
“The NDC matter must therefore be handled with great responsibility. This is not the time for anyone to celebrate the exclusion, weakening or procedural confusion of another political platform. Today it may be NDC. Tomorrow it may be another opposition party. The danger in allowing democratic institutions to become instruments for shrinking political competition is that, ultimately, the Nigerian people lose their right to choose freely,” Gbandi stated.
He emphasised that the ADC does not require the disappearance of NDC, PDP, Labour Party, SDP, NNPP, or any other opposition party in order to grow. “A serious opposition party should be able to win public confidence through ideas, organisation, integrity, mobilisation and a credible vision for the country. Nigeria needs competition, not political monopoly,” he said.
Gbandi warned that the ruling party may be comfortable when opposition platforms are divided, distracted or entangled in avoidable legal disputes. However, he stressed that democracy is healthiest when citizens have genuine choices at the ballot box and when political parties are allowed to organise freely, campaign openly, challenge government policy and present alternatives without intimidation.
He urged that the Lokoja judgment should be seen as a call for proper procedure, not as a licence for political exclusion. He called on the NDC and every other political association seeking recognition to comply fully with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and INEC regulations. At the same time, he urged INEC to act fairly, transparently and consistently, and never create the impression that its processes can be influenced by political pressure or selective enforcement.
Gbandi also stressed that the judiciary must remain the trusted guardian of justice. “Courts must not only be fair; they must be seen to be fair. In matters affecting political parties and electoral participation, judicial decisions carry consequences far beyond the courtroom. They shape public confidence in democracy itself,” he said.
Noting that the matter will now begin afresh with all necessary parties before the court, Gbandi described it as an opportunity to restore confidence in due process. “Let every party be heard. Let every claim be tested. Let every logo dispute, registration issue or legal objection be resolved transparently. But let no one use the law as a backdoor strategy for eliminating political competition,” he declared.
The ADC Diaspora Leader further called on opposition parties to understand that their greatest responsibility is not merely to survive legal battles but to build strong grassroots structures, mobilise citizens, protect votes, defend democratic institutions and offer Nigerians a credible alternative to hardship, insecurity, unemployment and failing governance.
“The Nigerian people deserve a democracy where parties are not created by shortcuts, destroyed by ambush, or silenced by manipulation. ADC will continue to stand for an open democratic space, credible elections, constitutional order and the right of Nigerians to freely determine their political future. The struggle is not about one party against another. It is about democracy against manipulation. It is about constitutional order against political convenience. And it is about ensuring that, in 2027, the choice belongs to the Nigerian people,” Gbandi concluded.
