A Federal High Court in Lokoja has set aside its earlier judgment compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
Isah Dashen, the presiding judge, delivered the ruling in a suit marked FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025.
Court cites constitutional defect
Dashen held that the December 10, 2025 judgment was delivered without hearing all necessary parties.
He said the omission rendered the proceedings constitutionally defective.
According to NAN, the ruling followed an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP).
The party argued that it had a legal interest in the case and should have been joined before judgment was delivered.
Judge nullifies earlier proceedings
Furthermore, Dashen agreed that the PMP had established sufficient interest in the matter.
He ruled that the failure to join the party made the earlier proceedings null and void.
The judge also held that material facts were not disclosed during the initial hearing.
Consequently, he vacated the previous order.
Court orders fresh hearing
Meanwhile, Dashen restored the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.
He also ordered that the case begin afresh.
The judge directed that INEC, the PMP and the NDC be joined as parties in the fresh proceedings.
NDC’s registration
On February 5, 2026, Joash Amupitan, INEC chairman, said only two of the eight associations that applied for registration qualified for final assessment and verification.
Despite not being among the pre-qualified associations, the NDC was registered following the December 2025 court order.
“The Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi state, in suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025 between Barr Takori Mohammed Sanni & Ors v. INEC ordered the commission to register Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party,” Amupitan had said.
