By Deborah Nnamdi
A Federal High Court 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, ordering that the case be heard afresh after all interested parties are joined.
Justice Isah Dashen delivered the ruling on Friday, declaring that the court’s December 10, 2025 judgment was flawed because it was reached without hearing all parties whose interests were directly affected.
The decision followed an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which argued that it should have been joined in the suit because its rights were affected by the judgment. The court agreed, holding that the PMP is a necessary party whose participation is essential for a fair determination of the case.
Justice Dashen ruled that the failure to hear all interested parties rendered the earlier judgment constitutionally defective and legally unsustainable. He also held that material facts were not disclosed during the initial proceedings, warranting the setting aside of the judgment.
The court consequently declared the earlier proceedings null and void, restored the status quo that existed before the December 10, 2025 judgment, and directed that the substantive suit begin afresh.
Justice Dashen ordered that INEC, the Peace Movement Party and the Nigeria Democratic Congress be joined as parties to enable the court fully determine all issues surrounding the dispute.
Speaking after the ruling, counsel to the PMP, C.S. Ekeocha, said his client approached the court after discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo the PMP had previously submitted to INEC before the suit commenced.
According to him, the ruling effectively reverses all actions taken by INEC following the now-vacated judgment, including the recognition of the NDC, the issuance of its certificate of registration, and its inclusion in the electoral body’s records.
Ekeocha, however, stressed that the court had not determined the merits of the NDC’s registration, noting that the dispute remains pending and will now be decided after all relevant parties have been heard. The ruling reopens the legal battle over the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, with fresh proceedings expected to commence before the Federal High Court.
