BREAKING: NDC appeals Lokoja Court ruling, says party remains registered as Obi warns of democratic setback

Crime Diary, Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria  (NPA) — The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected today’s ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja that set aside an earlier judgment compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party, insisting that it remains a legally recognised political party and has commenced an appeal against the decision.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the party said the ruling followed an application filed by an unregistered association known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP).

According to the NDC, it initially approached the Federal High Court in December 2025 after INEC refused to register it as a political party. The court subsequently upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association and ordered INEC to register the party, a directive the electoral commission complied with.

Since its registration, the NDC said it has undertaken nationwide membership registration, conducted ward, local government, state and national congresses, held its national convention, and completed primary elections for all elective offices in line with INEC’s timetable.

The party added that it participated in the recent by-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections.

The NDC argued that the Peace Movement Party is neither a registered political party nor an association currently seeking registration under INEC’s ongoing political party registration process.

It said the group claimed that it had sought registration in 2015 using the “victory” symbol but was denied and later asked the court, through a motion rather than a substantive suit or appeal, to set aside its earlier judgment in favour of the NDC.

The party maintained that the Federal High Court had already delivered a final judgment in the matter and had therefore become functus officio, meaning it lacked jurisdiction to revisit the case.

It further noted that issues relating to the use of party symbols and colours had already been determined in the original judgment, with no appeal filed against that decision.

“We are surprised that, on an application by an association that is neither a registered political party nor participating in the current political process, the court concluded that it had locus standi and proceeded to set aside its earlier judgment,” the statement said.

The NDC clarified that the court did not order its deregistration but merely set aside the previous judgment.

The party said it had instructed its legal team to immediately challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal, questioning both the jurisdiction of the trial court and the propriety of its decision.

“We assure the general public, particularly our candidates at all levels, that our party remains on course. The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are confident that justice will prevail at the appellate court,” the statement added.

The party also condemned what it described as attempts to narrow Nigeria’s democratic space and stifle opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general election.

According to the NDC, if the Peace Movement Party believed it was affected by the original judgment, its proper legal remedy was to file an appeal within the prescribed period rather than seek to overturn the judgment through a motion.

“It is too late for anyone to attempt to use the judiciary to derail or narrow Nigeria’s multi-party democratic space. Trying to overturn a final judgment through the back door is not only unheard of but also an abuse of court process,” the party stated.

The NDC thanked its members, candidates and supporters for their confidence, assuring them that all nominations already made remain valid while the appeal process continues.

Meanwhile, the party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, described the Lokoja ruling as “an unnecessary serious setback for Nigerian democracy.”

Obi said he received news of the judgment while attending engagements in Imo State, including a visit to the School of Nursing Sciences in Emekuku, where he inspected projects he had previously supported, and the 80th birthday celebration of the Emeritus Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Dr Anthony Obinna.

He said he later received details of the court’s decision while attending another event at Madonna University.

“Every Nigerian committed to the country’s progress should be deeply concerned. This judgment represents another setback for our democracy and the institutions upon which our future depends,” Obi said.

He warned against actions capable of weakening democratic institutions, saying both the legislature and the judiciary were increasingly being drawn into a pattern of institutional decline.

“Democracy cannot thrive where institutions lose their independence and credibility,” he said.

Obi recalled that he had similarly criticised judicial actions affecting another opposition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that his position had always been based on principle rather than political interest.

“My concern is not about who becomes President. My concern is that Nigeria works. Our politics must move beyond the quest for power and focus instead on building a united nation founded on justice, strong institutions, the rule of law and equal opportunity,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to defend the country’s democratic institutions, saying the survival of the nation’s democracy depended on preserving the independence and credibility of its institutions.