The Federal High Court in Lokoja has set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party, effectively nullifying all actions taken pursuant to the ruling.
Delivering the ruling on Friday, Justice Isah Dashen held that the court’s December 10, 2025 judgment adversely affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which was not joined as a party in the suit despite claiming ownership of the logo used by the NDC to secure the judgment.
Counsel to the applicant, C. S. Ekeocha, told journalists that the PMP approached the court after discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo the party had earlier submitted to INEC before the commencement of the suit.
According to Ekeocha, the court agreed that the applicant’s interests had been prejudiced and consequently vacated its 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 effectually and completely determined,” he said.
He explained that the ruling effectively reverses every action taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment.
“The recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” Ekeocha said.
He, however, clarified that the substantive case remains before the court and has not been determined.
“This 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 suggestions that the court merely ordered parties to maintain the status quo, insisting that the ruling specifically restored the parties to the positions they occupied before the December 10, 2025 judgment.
The decision effectively reopens the dispute over the NDC’s registration, with the court directing that all necessary parties be joined before the case is heard afresh and a new determination made.
