Obi Says Court Deregistration Of NDC Setback, Party Vows Appeal

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has vowed to appeal against yesterday’s Federal High Court judgment in Lokoja, Kogi State, which set aside an earlier ruling compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.

The party’s national publicity secretary, Osa Director, told LEADERSHIP Weekend that the NDC would obtain and study the full text of the judgment before pursuing further legal action.

“We are waiting to receive the text of the judgment, study it, and exercise our right to appeal,” Osa Director said.

A Federal High Court in Lokoja set aside its earlier judgment yesterday, directing INEC to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

Justice Isah Dashen, the presiding judge, held that all relevant parties must be heard before any substantive decision is made in the matter.

The court upheld the Peace Movement Party’s (PMP) application, ruling that the party was a necessary party to the suit.

According to the judge, the earlier judgment was constitutionally defective because it was delivered without hearing from all interested parties.

He declared that such an omission rendered the entire process null and void.

Justice Dashen further ruled that the status quo be restored to what it was before the December 2025 judgment, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

 It’s a temporary setback, says Obi

Meanwhile, Obi has described the judgment as a temporary setback, insisting that it would not derail the movement’s push for a “New Nigeria.”

In a statement issued on Friday by his spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, Obi said the campaign legal team was already reviewing the ruling with a view to taking immediate corrective and appellate action.

While urging supporters, coalition partners and Nigerians to remain calm, he said the judgment should not be sseen as the end of the party’s political aspirations.

“We have received the news of today’s bizarre ruling from the court in Lokoja regarding the legal status of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). While our legal teams are thoroughly reviewing the judgment to initiate immediate corrective and appellate measures, our Principal urges all our supporters, coalition partners and patriots nationwide to remain absolutely calm and focused,” the statement read.

The Peter Obi Medi Reach said it anticipated resistance in its quest to challenge what it described as a deeply entrenched and underperforming political establishment.

It maintained that the ruling represented only a legal hurdle, not a final obstacle, and expressed confidence that the movement would eventually achieve its objectives through lawful means.

“Our march to a New Nigeria cannot be halted. Today’s ruling is a hurdle, not a stop sign. The vehicle may face a temporary breakdown, but our destination remains non-negotiable,” the statement added.