Ikenna Enekweizu, national secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), says the federal high court ruling setting aside the judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party is part of an effort to stop Peter Obi from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Enekweizu spoke during an interview with Channels Television on Friday.
His comments come after a federal high court in Lokoja set aside its earlier judgment compelling INEC to register the NDC as a political party.
‘Court had no jurisdiction’
Enekweizu argued that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the application that led to the ruling.
He insisted that the court had become functus officio after delivering its December 2025 judgment.
“We’re not going to go through a fresh hearing,” he said.
“Elementary law shows that the court has no right in the first place to make that order.”
“The court has no right even in the first place to hear that application.”
“You cannot place anything on nothing and expect it to stand.”
Alleges plot against Obi
Furthermore, Enekweizu alleged that some political actors are working to prevent Obi from appearing on the ballot in the 2027 election.
He said the move is aimed at limiting political competition.
“Every Nigerian that is old enough to understand things knows that there are people who do not want the democratic space to be expanded,” he said.
“They do not want proper contestation for positions in the next general election.”
‘They know Obi can defeat them’
Meanwhile, the NDC secretary described Obi as the party’s presidential candidate.
He claimed Obi enjoys broad public support across the country.
According to Enekweizu, some politicians fear facing Obi at the polls.
“Peter Gregory Obi is our presidential candidate,” he said.
“It’s the choice of a gross majority of Nigerian people to assume the mantle of leadership of this country come 2027.”
“Some persons who know they do not stand a chance against him in the elections do not want him to be on the ballot.”
“That’s what this is all about, and that’s the reality.”
