Politics
THE Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed reports suggesting it has been deregistered, following a ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, saying it remains a duly registered political party.
The party, in a statement on Friday, said the ruling arose from an application filed by an unregistered association known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP), challenging an earlier judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC.
The NDC recalled that it approached the court in December 2025 after INEC declined to register it as a political party.
It said the court upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association and ordered INEC to register the party, a directive that was subsequently complied with.
The party said it had since conducted political activities nationwide, including membership registration, ward, local government, state and national congresses, conventions and primaries in line with INEC’s timetable.
It added that it participated in the recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and had nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections.
According to the statement, the Peace Movement Party is neither a registered political party nor an association participating in the current registration exercise.
The NDC argued that the court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment in the matter and had already addressed issues relating to the use of its symbol and colours.
It expressed surprise that the court entertained the application and subsequently set aside its earlier judgment, despite there being no appeal against the December 2025 decision.
The party, however, noted that the ruling did not direct its deregistration.
It said it had instructed its legal team to immediately appeal the decision, challenging both the jurisdiction of the court and the propriety of the order.
“We assure the general public, particularly our candidates at all levels, that our party is on course. The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal,” the statement said.
The party also condemned what it described as attempts to shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices, insisting that Nigerians deserved a broad range of political choices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
F.O
Tags: judgement NDC