The Federal High Court’s recent judgment nullifying the legal recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has ignited a fresh wave of political debate across Nigeria, with opposition groups and legal experts questioning the implications for democratic governance ahead of the 2027 general elections. The ruling, delivered by Justice Isah Dashen in Lokoja, set aside the court’s earlier December 10, 2025, decision that had compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party. The judge found that the Peace Movement Party (PMP) should have been included in the original suit, and its exclusion amounted to a denial of fair hearing, thereby invalidating the previous judgment.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement, a key political alliance backing the NDC, has condemned the ruling as part of a broader strategy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to suppress opposition voices. Habibu Saleh Mai Lemo, the movement’s spokesperson, told DAILY POST in Kano that the judgment was not unexpected, given the APC’s history of using legal and administrative tactics to weaken rival parties. He stressed that the NDC would not be deterred, asserting that the party’s plans for the 2027 elections remain intact.
Mai Lemo expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would overturn the decision, calling it a violation of the rule of law. He warned that the ruling poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic principles, not just for the NDC but for all Nigerians who value the right to choose from a diverse range of political options. “This is not just a fight for our political future,” he said, “it is a struggle to prevent the APC from creating a one-party system.”
The NDC’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, confirmed that the party remains legally registered and has already conducted nationwide conventions, participated in INEC activities, and fielded candidates in recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states. He also announced that the party’s legal team has been instructed to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal. Zuwoghe questioned the legitimacy of the Peace Movement Party, noting that it is not officially registered and that the Federal High Court had already delivered its final judgment in the case.
Legal expert Barrister Zulkallani Sani Tsanyawa told DAILY POST that the ruling is not final and can be challenged in the same court or appealed to the Court of Appeal. He emphasized that Nigeria’s judiciary is meant to serve all political parties equally, citing the recent Court of Appeal judgment on the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other parties as evidence. Tsanyawa urged judges to uphold legal standards to maintain public trust in the justice system.
As Nigeria’s opposition parties face mounting legal and internal challenges, the outcome of the NDC’s appeal could significantly influence the political dynamics leading up to the 2027 elections. The ruling may also set a precedent for how political parties navigate legal hurdles in the country’s evolving democratic landscape.
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