Appeal Court Restores NDC Registration, Overturns Lokoja Judgment

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has overturned the judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which had set aside the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party.

In a split decision delivered on Friday, a three-member panel ruled by a majority of two to one in favour of the NDC, restoring the legal effect of the earlier judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register the party.

Justices Mohammed Danjuma and Muslim Sule Hassan, who formed the majority, held that the Federal High Court had acted improperly by effectively sitting on appeal over its own earlier judgment of December 10, 2025.

The earlier judgment had ordered INEC to recognise and register the NDC, following which the electoral commission proceeded with the party’s registration.

The dispute resurfaced after the Peace Movement Party, PMP, approached the Federal High Court in Lokoja, arguing that its interests had been affected by the earlier proceedings because it was not joined as a party.

The PMP also raised an issue over the logo used by the NDC, claiming an interest in the symbol.

Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court subsequently set aside his earlier judgment and ordered that the matter be heard afresh with relevant parties joined.

Dissatisfied with the decision, the NDC appealed to the Court of Appeal, arguing that the lower court lacked the power to revisit its final judgment in the manner it did.

The appellate court’s majority agreed with the NDC, holding that the Lokoja court had effectively exercised appellate powers over its own judgment and had therefore abused the judicial hierarchy. The majority also dismissed the contention surrounding the NDC’s logo.

However, Justice Okon Abang dissented from the majority decision and maintained that the Federal High Court’s action should not have been overturned.

The latest judgment restores the NDC’s registration and removes the immediate legal uncertainty created by the Lokoja ruling, which had threatened the party’s participation in the 2027 general election.

The development is particularly significant for the NDC, which has already commenced preparations for the 2027 polls and nominated candidates for various elective positions. The party can now continue its electoral activities on the basis of the registration upheld by the appellate court, subject to any further legal proceedings that may arise.