A Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Friday set aside its earlier judgment which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Isah Dashen held that all relevant parties must be heard before any substantive decision can be made in the matter. He noted that the earlier judgment was delivered without hearing from all interested parties, rendering it constitutionally defective.
The court upheld an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), ruling that the party was a necessary party to the suit. It consequently declared the earlier proceedings null and void.
Justice Dashen further ordered a restoration of the status quo ante, returning all parties to their positions before the December 10, 2025 judgment, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
He also observed that certain material facts were not disclosed in the earlier proceedings.
The court directed that the case should be heard afresh, with INEC, the PMP and the NDC joined as parties.
Counsel to the applicant, Chikezie Ekeocha, told journalists that the PMP approached the court after discovering that the registration of the NDC was linked to a logo it had earlier submitted to INEC before the commencement of the suit.
He said the court agreed that the applicant’s rights were affected and consequently vacated the earlier judgment.
According to him, the ruling means that all actions taken by INEC in compliance with the earlier judgment have been reversed. This includes the recognition of the NDC, issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC records, and any related appearance on ballot materials.
He added, however, that the substantive case is still pending before the court and has not been determined.
Ekeocha clarified that the court’s decision ensures that all affected parties will now be heard before a fresh judgment is delivered.