- Odibo Victory
The Federal High Court in Lokoja has on Friday, canceled its earlier judgment recognizing the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
Recall that on the 10th of December, 2025, the court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
Justice Isah Dashen, who delivered the ruling on Friday, held that all parties with an interest in the matter must be heard before any substantive decision can be made.
The court upheld an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), ruling that it was a necessary party to the suit and that the earlier judgment was constitutionally defective because it was delivered without hearing all affected parties.
Justice Dashen declared that the omission rendered the previous proceedings null and void.
He consequently ordered that the status quo be restored to what it was before the December 10, 2025 judgment, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The judge also held that certain material facts were not disclosed during the earlier proceedings, a development he said justified setting aside the judgment.
The court further directed that the substantive suit should commence afresh, with INEC, the PMP and the NDC joined as parties.
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, counsel to the applicant, Chikezie Ekeocha, said the PMP approached the court after discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo the party had earlier submitted to INEC before the commencement of the suit.
According to Ekeocha, the court agreed that the applicant’s rights had been affected and consequently vacated its earlier judgment.
“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,” he said.
Ekeocha explained that the ruling reverses every action taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment.
“The recognition of the NDC, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” he stated.
He, however, clarified that the substantive case remains before the court and has not been determined.
“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,” Ekeocha added.
He also dismissed claims that the court merely ordered parties to maintain the status quo, insisting that the ruling specifically restored the position that existed before the December 10, 2025 judgment.
The ruling effectively returns the dispute over the registration of the NDC to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing, with all relevant parties expected to participate before a new decision is reached.