Peter Obi in Trouble as Lokaja Court halts INEC recognition of NDC, Pending...

The Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi state, has set aside its earlier judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party.

Delivering the ruling on Friday, Justice Isah Dashen nullified the court’s December 10, 2025, decision, saying it was “constitutionally defective” because it was reached without hearing all interested parties.

The judge held that the judgment adversely affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party, which was not joined in the original suit. PMP had claimed ownership of the logo NDC relied on to secure registration with INEC.

“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 effectually and completely determined,” counsel to the applicant, C.S. Ekeocha, told journalists after the ruling.

Ekeocha explained that the implication is that every step INEC took in compliance with the vacated judgment must now be reversed. This includes the issuance of NDC’s certificate of registration, its official recognition, and its inclusion in INEC’s records.

Justice Dashen noted that certain material facts were suppressed in the earlier proceedings, which justified setting aside the judgment. He ordered that the substantive suit should start afresh, with INEC, the Peace Movement Party, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress all listed as parties.

The ruling does not permanently bar the NDC from registration. It instead nullifies the order compelling INEC to register it, pending a fresh hearing where all stakeholders will be heard.

The NDC case is separate from the recent Federal High Court Abuja judgment that ordered INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, and three other parties — a decision the Court of Appeal has since stayed.

With the latest ruling, NDC’s status returns to what it was before December 10, 2025, while the dispute over its logo and registration continues in court.