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From Godwin Tsa Abuja
A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has set aside its December 10, 2025 judgment that had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party, ruling that the original proceedings excluded a party with a direct stake in the outcome.
Justice Isah Dashen held that the earlier judgment affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which was not joined in the suit despite its claim to ownership of the logo NDC used in its registration bid.
Counsel to PMP, C.S. Ekeocha, told journalists his client approached the court after discovering that NDC’s registration was based on a logo PMP had submitted to INEC before the original case was even filed.
“The court has 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 to ensure the issues in dispute are effectually and completely determined,” Ekeocha said.
He said the practical effect of the ruling is that every action INEC took in compliance with the now-vacated judgment is reversed including NDC’s recognition, its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers all of which must be withdrawn pending a final determination of the substantive suit.
Ekeocha stressed, however, that the underlying case remains undecided. “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 sides can be heard before a fresh decision is reached,” he said, dismissing suggestions that the court had simply ordered parties to maintain the status quo.
The ruling sends the dispute over NDC’s registration back to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing, with INEC, PMP, and NDC all now joined as parties.
