The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has set aside the Federal High Court judgment that had challenged the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), clearing the way for the party to participate in the 2027 general elections.
The development was announced by the NDC National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, in a statement reacting to Friday’s judgment. Reports on the ruling say the appellate court overturned the June 26 decision of Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja. �
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Dickson said the Court of Appeal allowed the party’s appeal and set aside the Lokoja judgment.
He said the judgment, delivered by the presiding Justice Mohammed Danjuma and read by Justice Hassan, affirmed the party’s right to operate as a registered political party.
Dickson commended the judiciary for what he described as upholding the integrity of the judicial process, saying the decision had preserved multiparty participation in Nigeria.
According to him, the NDC was established to expand the space for multiparty democracy and would continue to participate in political activities as a registered party.
He congratulated members and candidates of the party, while thanking Nigerians for their support during the legal dispute.
The NDC leader said the party would now focus on preparations for the 2027 elections.
The legal battle followed a June 2026 Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja which set aside an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC. The ruling had followed an application by the Peace Movement Party, which claimed an interest in the matter.
Dickson said the latest appellate court judgment had resolved the immediate legal challenge to the party’s registration.
The NDC leader also called on members and candidates to concentrate on their political activities and preparations for the forthcoming elections.
