The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected Friday’s ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which set aside an earlier judgment that had prevented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from deregistering the party.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, announced that the party has directed its legal team to immediately file an appeal against the ruling.
Zuwoghe maintained that the court’s decision does not amount to the deregistration of the NDC, insisting that the party remains a legally recognised political organisation.
According to him, the NDC was duly registered following a Federal High Court judgment delivered in December 2025 and has since conducted ward, local government and state congresses, held a national convention, participated in bye-elections and validly nominated candidates for the 2027 general elections in accordance with INEC’s timetable.
The party argued that the application which led to Friday’s ruling was filed by the Peace Movement Party, which it described as an unregistered association lacking the legal standing to challenge the NDC’s registration.
It further contended that the trial court had already delivered a final judgment on the matter and therefore lacked the jurisdiction to revisit the case through a motion.
Senator Zuwoghe reassured party members and supporters that all candidates nominated by the NDC remain validly nominated and that preparations for the 2027 general elections will continue while the appeal is pending.
The NDC also accused unnamed political interests of attempting to weaken opposition parties through the courts, arguing that Nigerians deserve a broad range of political choices ahead of the next general election.
Expressing confidence in the judicial process, the party said it believes the Court of Appeal will overturn the ruling and reaffirm the NDC’s legal status.
