Lokoja: A Federal High Court in Lokoja has overturned its earlier judgment mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party. Justice Isah Dashen, who presided over the case, emphasized the necessity of hearing from all relevant parties before reaching a substantive decision in such matters.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the court’s decision was prompted by an application from the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which argued that it was a necessary party to the suit. Justice Dashen agreed, declaring the previous judgment constitutionally flawed because it was delivered without input from all interested parties. This omission rendered the entire process null and void, he stated.
Justice Dashen further instructed that the status quo be restored to its position before the December 2025 judgment, pending the outcome of the substantive suit. He noted that certain material facts were suppressed during the earlier proceedings, which justified setting aside the previous judgment. Consequently, the court ordered a fresh start to the substantive suit, involving INEC, the PMP, and the NDC as parties to the case.
NAN reports that Chikezie Ekeocha, counsel for the applicant, explained that the PMP approached the court after discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo previously submitted to INEC. Ekeocha stated that the court acknowledged the infringement on the applicant’s rights and vacated the previous judgment. The court has directed all parties to revert to their positions as they were before the December 10, 2025 judgment, ensuring all necessary parties are joined to resolve the issues in dispute effectively.
He emphasized that the ruling means all actions taken by INEC following the now-vacated judgment are reversed, including the NDC’s recognition, its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and its appearance on ballot papers. These measures are to be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit.
Ekeocha clarified that the substantive case remains unresolved, noting, “The court merely set aside its previous judgment and directed that the party whose interests were affected be joined so that all sides can be heard before a fresh decision is reached.” He also refuted claims that the court only ordered parties to maintain the status quo, asserting that the ruling specifically called for restoring the pre-judgment position.
The ruling effectively returns the debate over the NDC’s registration to the Federal High Court, where all relevant parties are expected to participate in a fresh hearing before a new decision is made.