Nigeria TV Info 

Obi, PDP Reject NDC Deregistration, Party Heads to Appeal Court

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has rejected a Federal High Court ruling that set aside an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.

The judgment, delivered by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, effectively reversed the earlier order that had led to the NDC's recognition by INEC. The court also directed that all relevant parties be joined in the substantive suit before the matter is heard afresh.

Reacting to the decision, the NDC maintained that it has not been lawfully deregistered and described the ruling as a setback that would be challenged through the legal process. Party officials announced that they would immediately file an appeal, insisting that the judgment does not extinguish the party's legal status or its preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Peter Obi, the PDP, members of the Obidient Movement, and other opposition figures condemned the ruling, alleging that it could undermine Nigeria's democratic space by weakening opposition parties ahead of the next general election. They stressed that political competition should be determined by voters rather than prolonged legal disputes.

Legal representatives for the applicants argued that the latest court decision merely restores the parties to the position they occupied before the earlier judgment and that the substantive issues surrounding the party's registration will still be determined by the court. Meanwhile, the NDC has urged its members and supporters to remain calm, expressing confidence that the Court of Appeal will overturn the ruling.