By Smart Emmanuel
A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has nullified its previous order directing Nigeria’s electoral commission to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), reopening the legal battle over the proposed political party as opposition leaders intensify preparations for the country’s 2027 general elections.
In Friday’s ruling, Justice Isah Dashen set aside the court’s December 10, 2025 judgment after finding that it was delivered without hearing all parties with a direct interest in the dispute.
The judge held that the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which sought to join the proceedings, was a necessary party and should have been allowed to participate before the court reached its earlier decision. He further ruled that the original proceedings breached the constitutional right to a fair hearing and noted that material facts had allegedly not been disclosed when the initial judgment was obtained.
Justice Dashen consequently restored the parties to their positions before the December ruling and directed that the substantive case be heard afresh with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Peace Movement Party (PMP) participating in the proceedings.
The decision effectively suspends the legal foundation for the NDC’s registration until the court reaches a fresh determination.
Counsel to the Peace Movement Party, C.S. Ekeocha, welcomed the judgment, arguing that his client had been excluded from the earlier proceedings despite claiming ownership of the logo now associated with the NDC.
The ruling drew an immediate response from supporters of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, whose political camp has been linked to the proposed party as part of ongoing efforts to build a broader opposition platform.
In a statement, the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) described the judgment as a temporary setback and confirmed that its legal team would challenge the decision before the Court of Appeal.
The organisation urged supporters to remain calm, saying preparations were already underway to contest the ruling and insisting that the judgment would not derail efforts to establish an alternative political platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
The court decision also prompted fresh calls for greater cooperation among opposition leaders.
Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, said the development highlighted the need for opposition parties to consolidate ahead of the next presidential election.
In a post on X, Ibe urged Peter Obi, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and other opposition figures to work together, arguing that recent political developments underscored the challenges facing opposition parties and the importance of presenting a united front in 2027.
Legal analysts say the ruling addresses procedural issues rather than determining whether the NDC is entitled to registration.
The case will now return to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing, while the expected appeal could shape the future of one of the political platforms being considered by opposition figures seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
