In a major legal development, the Federal High Court in Lokoja has set aside its earlier judgement that mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)—a party heavily tied to Peter Obi’s political movement.
The Legal Breakdown: Why the Judgement Was Vacated
Presiding Judge Justice Isah Dashen ruled that the previous judgment delivered on December 10, 2025, was constitutionally defective. The court found that a vital interested party—the Peace Movement Party (PMP)—was completely left out of the original proceedings.
The dispute centers on a direct logo conflict:
- The Infringement Claim: The PMP approached the court after discovering that the newly registered NDC was using a logo that the PMP had already submitted to INEC before the lawsuit even started.
- Suppression of Facts: Justice Dashen noted that material facts had been suppressed during the initial hearings, rendering the prior order to register the party null and void.
- Restoration of Status Quo: The court has ordered that all parties return to the exact positions they held before the December 2025 ruling.
Immediate Consequences for the Campaign
According to Chikezie Ekeocha, counsel for the PMP, this ruling effectively hits the rewind button on the NDC’s official existence. Until a final determination is reached, INEC must dismantle all steps taken to recognize the party.
What must be withdrawn immediately:
- The NDC’s official certificate of registration.
- The party’s inclusion within official INEC records.
- Any appearance of the NDC name or logo on future ballot papers.
What Happens Next?
This is a structural reset rather than a permanent ban. The court has ordered that the substantive lawsuit start completely from scratch.
A fresh hearing will now take place, this time explicitly joining INEC, the PMP, and the NDC as active parties so that all sides can be constitutionally heard. Until that new trial concludes, the party cannot legally operate or campaign under INEC recognition. Is Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign truncated? Time will tell!
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