For members and candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Friday brought relief after months of legal uncertainty over the party’s status ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has set aside the June 26, 2026 judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja which had nullified an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.
The appellate court’s decision, delivered in a split 2–1 judgment, effectively restored the legal position recognising the NDC’s registration. Justices Mohammed Danjuma and Muslim Sule Hassan formed the majority, while Justice Okon Abang dissented.
The legal battle had placed the party’s participation in the 2027 elections under uncertainty.
In June, Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja had set aside the court’s earlier judgment that ordered INEC to register the NDC.
The decision followed an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which argued that its interests had been affected by the earlier proceedings and that it had not been joined in the case. The dispute also involved claims concerning the logo associated with the NDC.
The NDC subsequently appealed the decision, maintaining that the Federal High Court could not effectively sit on appeal over its own earlier final judgment.
The Court of Appeal’s majority decision agreed with the NDC on the central issue, setting aside Justice Dashen’s ruling and restoring the earlier position on the party’s registration.
‘Our prayers have been answered’
Reacting to the judgment, NDC National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, described the development as a significant moment for the party and its members.
Dickson said the party had received numerous calls for sympathy, support and prayers following the Lokoja judgment.
According to him, Friday’s decision had brought relief to members who had been uncertain about the party’s future in the electoral process.
“When the unexpected judgment of the Lokoja Federal High Court was delivered, we were bombarded with several calls for sympathy, support and prayers. Today, our collective prayers have been answered,” Dickson said.
He congratulated NDC members and candidates and thanked Nigerians who supported the party during the legal battle.
Dickson: NDC will participate in 2027 elections
Dickson said the appellate judgment had restored what he described as the NDC’s right to participate in political activities as a registered political party.
He therefore urged party members and candidates to shift their attention from the courtroom to preparations for the 2027 elections.
“The NDC continues to exist. Our registration remains valid and subsisting, and we and all our candidates will participate in all elections in 2027 and beyond, by the grace of God,” he said.
The former governor also called on members to focus on campaigns and preparations for the elections.
He said the party would now concentrate on its political activities and its challenge to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the polls.
A legal battle with political consequences
The dispute over the NDC’s registration has become one of the legal issues surrounding Nigeria’s emerging 2027 political landscape.
The party had initially secured a Federal High Court judgment in December 2025 directing INEC to register it. That decision was later challenged after the Peace Movement Party raised concerns over its exclusion from the original proceedings and its claimed interest in the disputed logo.
Justice Dashen subsequently set aside the earlier judgment and ordered that the parties be restored to their pre-judgment positions pending a fresh hearing.
The NDC challenged that decision at the Court of Appeal, leading to Friday’s ruling.
While the majority decision has restored the NDC’s registration, the dissenting judgment means the case has not produced a unanimous appellate position.
Justice Abang disagreed with the majority and upheld the position of the Federal High Court.
For Dickson and the NDC leadership, however, the message to members is now clear: leave the courtroom behind and return to the political field.
Dickson said the party remained confident in its message, candidates and members as it prepares for the 2027 elections.
“The fight for Nigeria’s multiparty democracy continues and by the grace of God we will emerge victorious,” he said.
NDC ALL THE WAY ✌️
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