The National Democratic Party (NDP) has hailed the judgment of the Federal High Court ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register it as a political party.

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court had ordered INEC to register the NDP as a political party, declaring the commission’s earlier refusal null and void.

In a judgment delivered on February 16, 2026, Justice M. G. Umar held that the promoters of the NDP, led by Hon. Ada Frederick Okwori and three others, had satisfied all constitutional and statutory requirements for registration.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2796/2025, sought declarations that the political association had complied with Sections 222–224 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act 2022, as well as INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022.

Granting the reliefs sought, the court declared that the plaintiffs had met all legal requirements and were qualified to be registered as a political party.

The court further held that INEC had a duty to register the association.

Justice Umar also set aside INEC’s letter dated December 18, 2025, with reference number INEC/DEPM/AFR/979/1/144, describing it as null, void and of no legal effect.

In a consequential order, the court compelled INEC to register the National Democratic Party forthwith.

In the alternative, the court deemed the association duly registered by virtue of Section 75(4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and directed the commission to accord the party full political rights and privileges, including the issuance of a certificate of registration and other relevant documents.

Reacting to the judgement, the party’s Interim National Chairman, Ada Frederick Okwori, described the ruling as a historic moment and a triumph for democracy and the rule of law.

Okwori while addressing journalists said the court affirmed that the NDP met and fulfilled all constitutional and statutory requirements for registration and set aside INEC’s letter dated December 18, 2025, which had declined the party’s application, declaring it null, void and of no legal effect.

He noted that the court mandated INEC to issue the party a certificate of registration with immediate effect and to accord it all rights and privileges due to a duly registered political party in Nigeria.

“This victory is not just a win for the NDP, but a triumph for democracy, transparency and the rule of law. It reaffirms our commitment to upholding the values of democracy and ensuring that the will of the people is respected,” he said.