Peter Obi dismisses NDC deregistration ruling as temporary breakdown

By Lawrence Agbo

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has described the recent court ruling ordering the party’s deregistration as a temporary setback, insisting it will not derail the movement’s mission ahead of the 2027 general election.

Obi appealed to party members, coalition partners and supporters across the country to remain calm and focused, assuring them that the legal team is already reviewing the judgment with a view to filing an appeal.

The reassurance was conveyed in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson of the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), Idris Zekeri Jnr, titled, “Our March to a New Nigeria Cannot Be Halted, A Detour, Yes, But Destination Is Certain.”

According to the statement, the party received the judgment from the High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, with surprise but remains confident that the legal process will ultimately favour the NDC.

“We have received the news of today’s bizarre ruling from the court in Lokoja regarding the legal status of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC),” the statement read.

“While our legal teams are thoroughly reviewing the judgment to initiate immediate corrective and appellate measures, our Principal urges all our supporters, coalition partners, and patriots nationwide to remain absolutely calm and focused.”

The statement noted that the movement had anticipated resistance in its quest to challenge what it described as Nigeria’s entrenched political establishment, adding that legal obstacles were not unexpected.

“We always knew that the journey to dismantle a deeply entrenched and grossly underperforming political status quo would be met with fierce institutional resistance and unexpected legal detours. Today’s ruling is a hurdle, not a stop sign,” it stated.

Obi’s media office maintained that the NDC remains committed to offering Nigerians a credible political alternative and vowed to challenge the court’s decision through all available legal channels.

“Our commitment to providing a transparent, legitimate, and formidable alternative for Nigerians remains unshakeable. The platform we are building is robust, and our legal rights will be vigorously pursued,” the statement added.

Encouraging supporters not to lose hope, Obi likened the ruling to a temporary mechanical fault on a journey, insisting that the movement’s objective remains unchanged.

“Do not be discouraged; the vehicle may face a temporary breakdown, but our destination remains non-negotiable.”