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ABUJA, June 26, 2026 – The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has vowed to challenge the Federal High Court ruling delivered in Lokoja on Friday, insisting that the judgment neither deregistered the party nor invalidated the nominations of its candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja shortly after the court’s decision, the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, described the ruling as legally flawed and announced that the NDC had instructed its legal team to immediately file an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
The party maintained that it remains a legally registered political party recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and assured its members, supporters and candidates that all nominations already concluded remain valid.
“Our party is on course. The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible. We have no doubt that justice will be done,” Zuwoghe said.
The NDC explained that it was registered following a Federal High Court judgment delivered in December 2025, which upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association and compelled INEC to register it after the commission initially declined its application.
According to the party, it has since conducted nationwide membership registration, ward, local government, state and national congresses, held its conventions and concluded primary elections in line with INEC’s timetable.
The party further stated that it participated in the recently concluded bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has already nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections, with formal submissions to INEC already underway.
Reacting to Friday’s court decision, the NDC argued that the application was filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which it described as an unregistered association that is neither participating in the ongoing political process nor seeking registration under the current exercise.
“The association that filed the complaint is unknown to us. The Peace Movement Party is not a registered political party in Nigeria,” the party stated.
It argued that the court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment in the earlier suit against INEC and therefore lacked jurisdiction to revisit the matter through a motion.
The NDC also contended that issues relating to the use of its party symbol and colours had already been determined in the earlier judgment, adding that no appeal was filed against that decision.
While acknowledging that the court reportedly set aside its December 2025 judgment, the party stressed that no order was made directing its deregistration.
“There was no order directing our deregistration. However, we are dissatisfied with the decision that has been made, and we have instructed our team of lawyers to immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge the jurisdiction and propriety of His Lordship’s order,” the statement read.
The party accused unnamed political interests of attempting to undermine Nigeria’s democracy by using the courts to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the NDC, “Nigerians have a right to a full range of opinions, ideas and alternatives, and political platforms and candidates should be allowed to participate in the 2027 general election process.”
It further argued that any party dissatisfied with the earlier judgment ought to have pursued an appeal within the prescribed legal timeframe instead of seeking to overturn the decision through what it described as “the back door.”
“To now try to upturn that verdict through the back door, via a motion, is not only unheard-of, but also illegal and an outright abuse of court process,” the party stated.
The NDC thanked Nigerians, its members and supporters for their continued confidence, reiterating that its platform remains legally recognised and that all nominations already made remain intact pending the outcome of its appeal.
The party expressed confidence that the appellate court would overturn the ruling and reaffirm its legal status ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
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