Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected a Federal High Court ruling that set aside an earlier judgment directing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party, vowing to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement issued by its national chairman, Moses Cleopas, the party described the ruling as flawed and said its legal team had already been instructed to begin the appeal process. According to Cleopas, the court’s decision followed an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which the NDC said is neither a registered political party nor involved in the current registration exercise.
The NDC argued that it had legally secured registration through a December 2025 court judgment and has since carried out party activities, including membership registration, congresses, a national convention and primaries in line with INEC’s timetable. The party also said it participated in recent bye-elections and has nominated candidates for elective offices ahead of the 2027 general election.
Reacting to concerns that the ruling could affect its status, the party insisted that the court did not order its deregistration.
“There was no order directing our deregistration. We assure the general public, and particularly our candidates at all levels, that our party is on course,” the statement said.
NDC maintained that all nominations made on its platform remain valid pending the outcome of the appeal. It further argued that the issues raised by the applicant had already been resolved in the earlier judgment and accused unnamed individuals of attempting to undermine opposition politics.
Expressing confidence in its legal position, the party said it expects the Court of Appeal to overturn the ruling and reaffirm its registration ahead of the 2027 elections.
