LOKOJA, Nigeria — The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has fiercely criticized a federal court ruling that reversed its official recognition as a political party, describing the decision as an illegal attempt to “narrow Nigeria’s democratic space” through the back door.
The sharp reaction follows a surprise ruling on Friday by Justice Isah Dashen at the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which vacated a December 2025 judgement that had originally ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.
The court withdrew the NDC’s certificate of registration following an application by a rival association, the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed the NDC had co-opted its logo. Justice Dashen ruled that the initial registration order was constitutionally defective because the PMP had not been given a hearing.
However, the NDC has rejected the ruling, declaring that it will immediately approach the Court of Appeal to overturn what it calls a gross abuse of the judicial process.
‘Too late to stop us’
In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, NDC National Chairman Moses Zuwoghe expressed disbelief at the court’s decision, arguing that the party has already fully integrated into Nigeria’s political system.
According to Mr Zuwoghe, the NDC has spent the last six months establishing a nationwide structure, holding ward-to-national conventions, and concluding primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We have been fully participating in all INEC activities without let or hindrance,” the chairman said. “The NDC also fielded candidates and fully participated in the just-concluded bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states.”
Legitimacy of rival questioned
The NDC high command further argued that the Peace Movement Party, whose objection triggered the crisis, has no legal standing (locus standi) because it is not even a formally registered political party in Nigeria.
Mr Zuwoghe claimed that if the association felt aggrieved by the December 2025 verdict, its only lawful recourse was to file an appeal within the strict statutory timeframe, which has since expired.
“To now try to upturn that verdict through the back door, via a motion, is not only unheard-of, but also illegal,” he stated. He added that the high court judge had become functus officio—meaning the court had already exhausted its jurisdiction over the matter and lacked the power to reverse its own final judgement.
Fears of opposition throttling
The legal battle unfolds during a period of heightened anxiety over the independence of Nigeria’s multi-party system.
Earlier this month, a federal court in Abuja ordered the deregistration of five established opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Although the Court of Appeal quickly stepped in to halt the enforcement of that order, the string of judicial interventions has raised concerns among critics who fear a coordinated attempt to stifle political opposition ahead of the 2027 polls.
“It is too late for anyone to attempt to use the judiciary to derail or narrow Nigeria’s multi-party democratic space,” Mr Zuwoghe warned.
The NDC has assured its candidates and members that its nominations remain valid and that the party is confident the appellate court will swiftly restore its official registration status.
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