BREAKING: Court nullifies earlier judgment ordering INEC to register NDC

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

Justice Isah Dashen ruled that the previous judgment was constitutionally defective because all interested parties were not heard before the decision was made.

The court upheld an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), declaring that the party was a necessary party to the suit and that its exclusion rendered the earlier proceedings null and void.

Justice Dashen also held that material facts were suppressed during the earlier hearing, warranting the setting aside of the December 10, 2025 judgment.

Consequently, the court ordered that the status quo before the judgment be restored and directed that the substantive suit begin afresh, with INEC, the PMP, and the NDC joined as parties.

Counsel to the applicant, Chikezie Ekeocha, said the PMP approached the court after discovering that the NDC’s registration process was based on a logo the PMP had earlier submitted to INEC.

According to him, the ruling means every action taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment—including the recognition of the NDC, issuance of its certificate of registration, inclusion in INEC’s records, and any related electoral processes—stands reversed pending the determination of the substantive suit.

He clarified that the court has not decided the main case but only ordered a fresh hearing to ensure all affected parties are heard before a final decision is reached.