How the NDC Got Registered: A Timeline of the Court Battle That Could Shape 2027

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, the political vehicle that was to carry Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso into the 2027 presidential race, is now fighting for its political life after a Federal High Court in Lokoja set aside the judgment that compelled INEC to register the party.

The story began when the NDC approached the Independent National Electoral Commission seeking registration as a political party. INEC refused, citing issues with the party’s proposed logo and symbol. The electoral body had initially rejected the NDC’s letter of intent, standing by its position that the party did not meet the threshold for registration. The NDC, however, was not prepared to accept that decision and proceeded to the Federal High Court in Lokoja to challenge INEC’s refusal. On December 10, 2025, Justice Isah Dashen ruled in favour of the NDC, ordering INEC to register the party as a political party. The court upheld the party’s constitutional right to freedom of association. INEC had no choice but to comply, and the NDC was officially listed on INEC’s portal with a crucial notation: “BY COURT ORDER.” The party began registering members, conducting congresses, and holding primaries.

There was, however, a problem. The Peace Movement Party, an association seeking political party status, claimed ownership of the logo that the NDC had used to secure its registration. The PMP argued it had previously submitted this logo to INEC before the NDC’s suit commenced. The Peace Movement Party, which had not been joined in the original case, approached the court, arguing that its legal rights had been affected by the December 2025 judgment. On June 26, 2026, Justice Isah Dashen delivered a ruling that sent shockwaves through the opposition. He set aside his own December 2025 judgment, holding that it was “constitutionally defective” because it was delivered without hearing all interested parties. The court found that the Peace Movement Party was a necessary party to the suit and that its rights had been affected. Justice Dashen ordered that the status quo be restored to what it was before the December 10, 2025 judgment. The implication, according to the PMP’s counsel, is that every action taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment stands reversed. “The recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn,” C.S. Ekeocha told journalists.

INEC has stated that it will act only after receiving and studying the Certified True Copy of the ruling. A senior INEC official noted that the position that existed before the December 10, 2025 judgment was that INEC had rejected the NDC’s application. The NDC, for its part, has rejected the ruling and vowed to challenge it at the Court of Appeal. National Chairman Senator Moses Cleopas insisted that no order had been made deregistering the party. The party maintained that the Peace Movement Party is an unknown, unregistered association and that the court lacked jurisdiction to revisit a final judgment. NDC National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson described the ruling as “illegal” and “anti-democratic.” For now, the NDC’s registration hangs in the balance as the legal battle moves to the appellate court. The 2027 race, it appears, will be fought in the courtroom first.