Court nullifies earlier order directing INEC to register NDC

A Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has set aside its earlier judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

Delivering the ruling on Friday, Justice Isah Dashen held that all parties with an interest in the matter must be heard before any substantive decision could be made.

The court upheld an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), ruling that the party was a necessary party to the suit. Justice Dashen said the earlier judgment was constitutionally defective because it was delivered without hearing all interested parties, rendering the entire process null and void.

He ordered that the status quo be restored to what it was before the December 10, 2025 judgment pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The judge also observed that certain material facts had been suppressed during the earlier proceedings, a development he said justified setting aside the judgment.

Consequently, the court directed that the substantive case should commence afresh, with INEC, the PMP and the NDC joined as parties to the suit.

Speaking to journalists after the ruling, counsel to the applicant, Chikezie Ekeocha, said the PMP approached the court after discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo it had earlier submitted to INEC before the commencement of the suit.

According to him, the court agreed that the party’s rights had been affected and consequently vacated the earlier judgment.

“The court has ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the judgment of December 10, 2025, and directed the claimants to join all necessary parties to ensure the issues in dispute are effectively and completely determined,” he said.

Ekeocha explained that the ruling effectively reversed every action taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment.

He said the recognition of the NDC, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records and any appearance on ballot papers arising from the earlier judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit.

He, however, clarified that the substantive case remains before the court and has not been concluded.

“The matter has not been concluded. The court merely set aside its previous judgment and directed that the party whose interests were affected be joined so that all sides can be heard before a fresh decision is reached,” he said.

Ekeocha also dismissed claims that the court merely ordered parties to maintain the status quo, insisting that the ruling specifically restored the position that existed before the December 10, 2025 judgment.

The decision returns the dispute over the registration of the NDC to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing with all relevant parties expected to participate before a new judgment is delivered.