The Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has set aside an earlier judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
The ruling was delivered on Friday by the presiding judge, Justice Isah Dashen, effectively reversing the previous court order that had mandated the electoral commission to recognize the NDC.
The development was disclosed through a post on X by Lere Olayinka, the media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The latest decision comes amid growing legal and political uncertainty affecting several opposition political parties across Nigeria.
In recent weeks, a number of political parties have been entangled in legal battles over their registration status and eligibility to participate in future elections.
Notably, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Accord Party are among those facing significant legal challenges.
Earlier, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered INEC to deregister the ADC, the Accord Party, and three other political associations following a lawsuit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators.
The plaintiffs argued that the affected parties failed to satisfy the constitutional requirements necessary to retain their registration.
Under Nigeria’s electoral laws, a political party must secure at least 25 percent of the votes cast in at least one state during a presidential election or win at least one elective office at the federal, state, or local government level to remain registered.
The court held that the affected parties failed to meet these constitutional benchmarks during the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections, making them liable for deregistration.
The latest ruling from the Lokoja court adds another dimension to the ongoing legal disputes surrounding political party registration and could have significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of future elections.
