The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated it has not yet received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Federal High Court judgment that overturned an earlier order directing it to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party. The commission made this disclosure in a statement issued on Saturday by its Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola. INEC emphasized that while it is aware of media reports about the June 26, 2026, ruling delivered by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, it cannot comment on the judgment until it obtains and reviews the official CTC.
The court, presided over by Justice Isah Dashen, set aside its previous December 10, 2025, judgment that had ordered INEC to register the NDC. The judge ruled that the rights of the Peace Movement Party were compromised because it was not included in the original suit, despite claiming ownership of the logo used by the NDC to secure the registration order. As a result, Justice Dashen ordered all parties to be restored to their positions before the December 2025 judgment and directed that the case be heard again with all relevant parties properly joined.
INEC confirmed that its legal department will thoroughly examine the CTC once received before advising the commission on the next steps. “Once the Commission’s legal department receives and thoroughly studies the CTC of the judgment, INEC will take an informed, lawful decision in line with the court’s directives,” the statement read. The commission urged the public to await its formal position, stressing that no official comment can be made until the legal review is complete.
The NDC has rejected the ruling and announced plans to appeal. Its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, argued that the party has not been deregistered and criticized the trial court for lacking jurisdiction to revisit a matter already decided. He maintained that the court’s decision undermines legal certainty and the rule of law. The party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and National Leader, Senator Henry Dickson, also condemned the judgment, calling it a threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy. They vowed to challenge the decision through all available legal avenues.
The case has drawn attention from various political stakeholders and legal experts, highlighting concerns about procedural fairness and the integrity of electoral processes. INEC remains committed to following due process and ensuring compliance with court orders, but it will not act until it receives the official document. The outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for political party registration and electoral reforms in Nigeria. As the legal process unfolds, all eyes remain on the courts and INEC’s response to the new judgment.
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