The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is pushing forward with its 2027 election plans despite a fresh legal setback, after a Federal High Court in Lokoja reversed an earlier ruling that had ordered the party's registration.
The court, presided over by Justice Isah Dashen, vacated its December 10, 2025 judgment which had compelled the electoral body to register the NDC. (TheCable) The reversal came after the Peace Movement Party (PMP) approached the court arguing it should have been included in the original case. The judge agreed that the earlier judgment was reached without hearing all necessary parties, making the process constitutionally flawed. (TheCable) He ordered that the case be reopened from scratch, with INEC, PMP, and NDC all joined as parties this time. (TheCable)
Rather than wait out the legal process, the NDC moved quickly. National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson announced that the party has filed both an appeal and an application for a stay of execution, formally notifying the INEC chairman of the move. (TheCable)
According to Dickson, the pushback has already paid off administratively INEC has granted the party access to its portal so it can upload its candidate list. (TheCable) He confirmed that both his own name and that of presidential candidate Peter Obi have already been added, with the vice presidential candidate's details to follow once documentation is completed. (TheCable)
Dickson insisted the party isn't in danger of missing deadlines. He noted the party still has until July 11 to upload National Assembly candidates, and until July 17 for governorship and state assembly candidates, according to INEC's official timetable. (TheCable)
The NDC has also been dealing with internal friction following its primaries. Dickson acknowledged the process wasn't perfect but said reconciliation efforts are already underway to bring aggrieved members and aspirants back into the fold. (TheCable)
Beyond the NDC's own camp, the ruling has drawn wider political reaction. Party chairman Cleopas Zuwoghe expressed confidence in pursuing the matter through the appellate courts, stating that the Federal High Court isn't Nigeria's final judicial authority. (NaijaWhisper) The Kwankwasiyya Movement also weighed in, warning that repeated legal uncertainty around opposition parties threatens the health of Nigerian democracy and undermines a level electoral playing field. (NaijaWhisper)
As of now, the Court of Appeal has not set a hearing date, leaving the NDC's official status still unresolved.
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