Federal High Court Rescinds Earlier Ruling on NDC Registration
The Federal High Court in Lokoja has annulled a previous decision that mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to officially recognize the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party. This ruling was issued on Friday by Justice Isa Dashen, who emphasized the necessity of hearing all parties involved before arriving at a definitive judgment.
Key Parties Must Be Involved in Legal Proceedings
Justice Dashen ruled in favor of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), asserting its role as a crucial participant in the legal proceedings. The judge indicated that the earlier ruling lacked constitutional validity, as it was rendered without the input of all relevant stakeholders.
Previous Ruling Declared Constitutionally Flawed
In his ruling, the judge underscored that the absence of comprehensive hearings invalidates the entire judicial process. He ordered that the situation revert to its status prior to the judgment issued on December 10, 2025, until a full examination of the substantive case is concluded.
Suppressed Evidence Influences Judicial Decision
Judge Dashen also noted that significant information was omitted during the initial proceedings, thereby warranting the retraction of the prior judgment. Consequently, a new substantive litigation process will commence involving INEC, PMP, and NDC as integral parties.
PMP’s Legal Action Highlights NDC’s Registration Issues
According to a report from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the PMP’s legal representative, Mr. Chikezie Ekeocha, indicated that the party sought judicial intervention after discovering that the NDC’s registration was predicated on a logo submitted to INEC prior to the initiation of the case.
Impact of the Ruling on NDC’s Official Status
Ekeocha elaborated that the court recognized the infringement of the applicant’s rights, leading to the annulment of the previous judgment. He stated that all measures undertaken by INEC following the now-invalid ruling are effectively vacated. The acknowledgment of the NDC, along with the issuance of its registration certificate and its appearance on electoral ballots, must be halted until final resolution of the substantive litigation.
Case Continues to Navigate Legal Landscape
While the court has overturned its earlier ruling, Ekeocha emphasized that the core case remains active and is yet to be resolved. He clarified the importance of joining all affected parties to ensure a comprehensive hearing that encompasses varied interests before a new judgment is reached. He firmly rejected claims that the ruling merely aims to preserve the status quo, insisting that it specifically reinstated conditions from before the December 10, 2025 judgment.
This latest ruling effectively remands the dispute over the NDC’s registration back to the Federal High Court, where a fresh hearing will occur, obliging all involved parties to present their perspectives prior to any forthcoming decision.
