INEC to review NDC judgment, awaits CTC

• Dickson: I was jolted by court order
• Atiku, ADC express concern over ruling

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will review the judgment of the Federal High Court directing it to withdraw the registration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party after obtaining the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling.

Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja had, in a judgment delivered on December 10, 2025, ordered INEC to register the NDC. However, the judge reversed the decision on Friday, ruling that the earlier judgment failed to take into account the interests of other parties in the matter.

INEC said it would study the CTC of the judgment before taking any action.

A senior official of the commission, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Nation that INEC would only adopt an official position after its legal department had reviewed the court’s decision.

The official noted that before the December 10 judgment, the commission had rejected the NDC’s application for registration as a political party.

According to the court, the earlier judgment affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which was not joined in the suit despite claiming ownership of the logo relied upon by the NDC in securing the registration order.

Counsel to the PMP, C.S. Ekeocha, said the latest ruling effectively nullified all actions taken pursuant to the earlier judgment.

“The recognition of the National 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of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” he said.

Responding to enquiries, the INEC official said the commission was aware of media reports on Friday’s ruling but had yet to receive the CTC.

“Once the Commission’s Legal Department receives and thoroughly studies the Certified True Copy of the judgment, INEC will take an informed and lawful decision in line with the court’s directives.

“Until then, we cannot comment on the specifics of the ruling. The public is advised to await the Commission’s formal position,” the official said.

‘I was jolted by the court order’ — Dickson

The National Leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson, described the court’s decision as lacking legal merit and aimed at frustrating the party’s growing popularity.

“I, like several other leaders, officials, candidates of the NDC and members of the public, was jolted by the order issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja and presided over by Honourable Justice Isah Dashen,” Dickson said in a statement.

The former Bayelsa State governor alleged that the ruling was politically motivated and designed to undermine multi-party democracy.

“All I can say is that the order lacks legal merit and is intended to undermine the credibility and efforts of our party.

“It is illegal and will not stand. It is anti-democratic and aimed at narrowing the democratic space. It will be resisted by all lovers of democracy in Nigeria,” he said.

Dickson disclosed that the party’s legal team had begun efforts to challenge the ruling.

“We have assembled our lawyers and they are taking the necessary steps to set the order aside and restore normalcy. I urge all members, supporters and candidates to remain calm and continue their political activities.”

He maintained that the NDC’s rapid growth had unsettled political interests.

“We are not surprised that our remarkable progress over the past five months is attracting attacks, although this particular development came from a very unlikely source,” he said.

Dickson also dismissed the claim by the Peace Movement Party, arguing that it was neither a registered political party nor one of the associations that applied for registration in 2025.

“It had no legal interest in the matter and was not among the 171 associations that sought registration or the 21 shortlisted by INEC.

“We know where this is coming from. It is from those who are uncomfortable with the progress we have made in such a short period.

“We will not allow this to slow us down. We shall pursue all lawful judicial remedies to correct what we consider a judicial error,” he added.

Quoting a popular saying, Dickson told party members to remain resolute.

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, then you win.

“We are under attack, but we shall prevail. Even with today’s development, thousands of Nigerians continue to identify with our movement.”

ADC raises concern

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also expressed concern over the court’s decision, describing it as part of what it called a disturbing trend affecting opposition parties.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the ruling raised serious concerns about Nigeria’s democracy and the treatment of opposition parties under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

According to the ADC, opposition parties have increasingly become entangled in legal disputes and administrative interventions capable of weakening political competition.

“Over the past several months, Nigerians have watched a disturbing pattern unfold. One opposition party after another has been dragged into avoidable internal crises through a succession of curious legal battles and administrative interventions,” the statement said.

The party argued that democracy thrives on fair competition, institutional neutrality and equal treatment under the law.

It urged caution ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that any action capable of undermining confidence in the electoral process should be subjected to public scrutiny.

“The judiciary remains one of the last lines of defence for our democracy and must never be perceived as an arena where political battles are settled on behalf of those who wield executive power,” Abdullahi said.

The ADC also appealed to opposition parties, civil society organisations, labour unions, the media and Nigerians to remain vigilant in defending democratic institutions.

“Yesterday’s target was the NDC. Tomorrow, it could be anyone who dares to offer Nigerians an alternative,” the statement added.

Atiku warns against one-party state

Former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, described the attempt to deregister the NDC through judicial means as evidence of what he called a desperate bid to impose a one-party state in Nigeria.

In a statement, Atiku said the development, if allowed to stand, could undermine democracy and weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.

“The participation of citizens in free, fair and credible elections is the soul of democracy. Any attempt to stifle that freedom of choice is capable of triggering chaos and anarchy,” he said.

He accused President Bola Tinubu of projecting himself as a democrat while allegedly undermining democratic principles through actions aimed at weakening opposition parties.

Atiku urged Tinubu to emulate former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, whom he said allowed opposition parties to thrive during their administrations.

“If your policies have genuinely improved the lives of Nigerians, you should not be afraid of free and fair political competition,” he said.

The former vice president also urged members of the judiciary to resist political interference.

“Governments will come and go, but the judiciary must protect its integrity as the last hope of the common man.

“There are many honourable judges in Nigeria, but the actions of a few who allow themselves to become tools in political battles are capable of damaging the image of the judiciary,” Atiku said.