A Federal High Court in Lokoja has nullified its earlier judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
Justice Isa H. Dashen ruled that the December 10, 2025 judgment was a nullity because it was delivered without joining the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed ownership of the logo and symbol used by the NDC in its registration application.
The court held that the absence of the PMP in the suit denied it a fair hearing, making the previous judgment legally defective.
As a result, the judge set aside all decisions and actions arising from the earlier ruling and ordered all parties to return to the positions they occupied before the judgment was delivered.
Justice Dashen further directed that the case be heard afresh, with all necessary parties—including the Peace Movement Party—joined in the proceedings to ensure a fair determination of the dispute.
The ruling is a setback for the NDC, whose registration had been ordered by the court after INEC initially declined to recognise the party.
Daily Times
