A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has set aside its earlier judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
Justice Isah Dashen delivered the ruling on Friday, June 26, 2026, nullifying the previous order on which INEC relied in registering the NDC. The court held that the earlier judgment should no longer stand, effectively withdrawing the legal foundation for the partyβs registration.
The decision followed an application seeking to vacate the earlier judgment. While the court did not expressly order the deregistration of the NDC, the ruling has thrown the partyβs legal status into uncertainty, as the registration was predicated on the now-nullified court order.
The Independent National Electoral Commission is yet to issue an official statement on the judgment or indicate the administrative steps it intends to take in response. The NDC has also not publicly reacted to the ruling as of the time of filing this report.
Legal analysts say the judgment may trigger further litigation, including a possible appeal, while observers await clarification from INEC on whether the commission will maintain or withdraw the partyβs registration in light of the courtβs decision.
More details to follow.
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