A Federal High Court in Lokoja has vacated its earlier judgement directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party, effectively reversing every action taken in compliance with that decision. Delivering the ruling on Friday, Justice Isah Dashen held that the court's judgement of December 10, 2025, adversely affected the interests of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which was not joined as a party in the suit despite laying claim to the logo used in securing the judgement.
Speaking with journalists after the ruling, counsel to the PMP, C. S. Ekeocha, explained that the party approached the court after discovering that the NDC's registration was based on a logo it had earlier submitted to INEC before the commencement of the case.
According to Ekeocha, the court agreed that the applicant's rights had been impacted and consequently set aside its previous judgement.
"The court has ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the judgement of December 10, 2025, and directed the claimants to join all necessary parties to ensure the issues in dispute are effectually and completely determined," he said.
Ekeocha said the decision means that every step taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgement must be reversed.
"The recognition of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC's records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgement must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit," Ekeocha stated.
He, however, stressed that the substantive case remains before the court and has yet to be determined.
"The matter has not been concluded. The court merely set aside its previous judgement and directed that the party whose interests were affected be joined so that all sides can be heard before a fresh decision is reached."
Ekeocha also dismissed claims that the court simply ordered parties to maintain the status quo, insisting that the ruling expressly directed a restoration of the position that existed before the December 10, 2025, judgement.
