A Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has nullified its December 2025 ruling that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party.
Delivering judgment on Friday, June 26, 2026, Justice Isah Dashen said the earlier decision was flawed because key stakeholders were not heard before it was issued.
The court granted an application by the Peace Movement Party, PMP, which argued that it was a necessary party to the case. Justice Dashen ruled that the PMP’s interests were directly affected after it emerged that the NDC’s logo was one the PMP had earlier submitted to INEC.
“The judgment of December 10, 2025 was constitutionally defective for being made without hearing all interested parties,” the judge said. “That omission makes the process null and void.”
Justice Dashen ordered that the situation should revert to what it was before the December judgment, pending the outcome of a new hearing. He noted that some material facts were withheld in the initial proceedings.
The court directed that the substantive suit be started afresh, with INEC, the PMP, and the NDC listed as parties.
Speaking to reporters, counsel for the PMP, Chikezie Ekeocha, said the ruling means every step INEC took under the vacated order must be reversed.
“The recognition of the NDC, its certificate of registration, its entry in INEC’s records, and any ballot placement based on that judgment must be withdrawn until the main case is decided,” Ekeocha said.
He added that the court did not rule on the merits of the case. “This is not a final decision. The court only set aside its previous judgment so all affected parties can be heard before a new decision is reached,” he explained.
The dispute over the NDC’s registration will now return to the Federal High Court for a full hearing with all relevant parties. NAN
