The 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 following a legal dispute over the party’s logo.

In a ruling delivered on Friday, June 26, Justice Isah Dashen held that the previous judgment was constitutionally defective because all parties with an interest in the matter were not heard before the decision was made.

The court upheld an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), ruling that the party was a necessary party to the suit and should have been joined before any substantive judgment was delivered.

Justice Dashen stated that the failure to hear all interested parties violated the principles of fair hearing, rendering the earlier judgment null and void. He also observed that material facts had allegedly been suppressed during the earlier proceedings, providing sufficient grounds to vacate the December 10, 2025 judgment.

The court consequently ordered that the status quo be restored to what it was before the December 2025 judgment pending the determination of the substantive suit.

As part of the ruling, the judge directed that the case should begin afresh, with INEC, the Peace Movement Party (PMP), and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) joined as parties in the fresh proceedings.

The latest development reopens the legal battle surrounding the registration of the NDC and creates fresh uncertainty over the party’s legal status ahead of Nigeria’s next general election. However, the court has not issued a final decision on the validity of the NDC’s registration, and the substantive case is yet to be determined.

The NDC has emerged as one of the country’s newest political parties and has been associated with former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as its presidential candidate, alongside former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as its vice-presidential candidate.

The outcome of the fresh hearing could have significant implications for the party’s participation in future elections, although any effect on its candidates will ultimately depend on the final judgment and any appeals that may follow.

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