We Won’t Succumb To Attempts to Use Judiciary to Stifle Democracy, NDC Declares Over Fresh Deregistration Ruling

• Says Party Will Challenge Court Order

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected Friday’s ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja setting aside the judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register it as a political party, insisting that it has not been deregistered and will immediately challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

In a statement posted on its official X page on Friday and signed by its National Chairman, Moses CZuwoghe, the party described the court’s decision as an attempt to use the judiciary to shrink Nigeria’s democratic space and stifle opposition voices.

The reaction comes hours after Justice Isah Dashen nullified the court’s December 2025 judgment that ordered INEC to register the NDC, holding that the earlier proceedings were flawed because the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed an interest in the disputed party symbol, was not joined in the suit. The judge consequently ordered that the case be heard afresh with all relevant parties.

Responding to the ruling, the NDC argued that the Peace Movement Party is neither a registered political party nor an association currently seeking registration under INEC’s ongoing registration exercise, questioning its legal standing to seek the reversal of a judgment delivered several months ago.

The party recalled that following the December 2025 judgment, INEC complied with the court’s directive by registering the NDC, after which it commenced full political activities, including nationwide membership registration, congresses at all levels, national convention, party primaries and participation in INEC activities.

According to the statement, the party also fielded candidates in the recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has already nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections in line with INEC’s timetable.

The NDC maintained that the Federal High Court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment in December 2025 and therefore lacked the jurisdiction to set aside its own decision through an application filed by a non-party to the original suit.

“There was no order directing our deregistration. However, we are dissatisfied with the decision that has been made, and we have instructed our team of lawyers to immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge the jurisdiction and propriety of His Lordship’s order,” the party stated.

It further assured its members, candidates and supporters that its nominations remain valid and that its political activities would continue pending the outcome of the appeal.

The NDC also condemned what it described as efforts to narrow Nigeria’s multi-party democratic space through judicial means, insisting that Nigerians deserve a wide range of political choices ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“It is too late for anyone to attempt to use the judiciary to derail or narrow Nigeria’s multi-party democratic space,” the statement added, arguing that if the Peace Movement Party was dissatisfied with the December 2025 judgment, its proper legal remedy was to file an appeal within the stipulated period rather than seek to overturn the judgment through a motion.

The party expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would overturn Friday’s ruling, while thanking its members and supporters for their continued confidence and urging them to remain calm as the legal process unfolds.