The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has vowed to challenge a Federal High Court ruling that set aside an earlier judgment ordering its registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that the decision does not amount to the party’s deregistration.

Reacting to Friday’s ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, the party said it remained a legally recognised political party and would immediately approach the Court of Appeal to contest the judgment.

In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, the NDC argued that the court did not issue any order directing INEC to remove the party from its register and therefore its legal status remains intact pending the outcome of further judicial proceedings.

“The NDC has not been deregistered. There was no order to that effect. We have instructed our lawyers to file an appeal immediately, and we are confident that justice will prevail,” the party stated.

The controversy stems from a ruling delivered by Justice Isah Dashen, who set aside the court’s earlier judgment of December 2025 that had compelled INEC to register the NDC as a political party.

The party recalled that it secured the judgment after challenging INEC’s refusal to register it, with the court affirming its constitutional right to freedom of association and directing the electoral body to grant registration.

According to the NDC, it has since operated as a political party, conducting membership drives, congresses, conventions and primary elections in compliance with INEC regulations. It also noted that it participated in recent by-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has already nominated candidates for various positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party questioned the legal basis for reopening a matter on which a final judgment had already been delivered, arguing that the court had exhausted its jurisdiction over the case.

It also maintained that any party dissatisfied with the original judgment ought to have pursued an appeal rather than seek to overturn it through a motion before the same court.

While reaffirming its commitment to the legal process, the NDC accused unnamed actors of attempting to use judicial processes to restrict political competition and shrink the democratic space ahead of the next election cycle.

The party assured its members and supporters nationwide that its structures remain operational and that all political activities and nominations undertaken so far remain valid.

Friday’s ruling has added a fresh dimension to the legal battle surrounding the NDC’s registration, with the final outcome now expected to be determined by the appellate court.