NDC rejects derecognition ruling, heads to Appeal Court

By Enitan Abdultawab

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected a ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State capital, that set aside an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register it as a political party, insisting that it remains registered and will immediately challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

In a statement issued on Friday, the party expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling delivered by Justice Isah Dashen, describing the decision as surprising and legally questionable.

The court had earlier set aside its December 2025 judgment that compelled INEC to register the NDC, following an application filed by an association known as the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed ownership of the logo used by the NDC in securing its registration.

Reacting to the development, the NDC said the PMP was neither a registered political party nor an association currently participating in the ongoing political process.