Obi, PDP Rejects Court Decision On NDC

Obi, PDP Rejects Court Decision On NDC

A fresh political dispute erupted on Friday after a Federal High Court in Lokoja set aside its earlier order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The party immediately rejected the ruling, insisting it remained a recognised political party and had already begun the process of appealing the decision.

The NDC said the court never ordered its deregistration and assured members that party activities would continue without interruption.

National Chairman Moses Cleopas argued that the trial court lacked the power to reverse its own final judgment and accused unnamed forces of using the courts to weaken opposition parties before the 2027 elections.

The party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, described the judgment as another setback for Nigeria’s democracy, warning that weakening public institutions could damage the country’s future.

The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, NDC lawmakers, the Obidient Movement and the Kwankwasiyya Movement also criticised the ruling, claiming it was part of a wider effort to shrink the political space ahead of the next general election.

Supporters of Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso insisted the legal battle would not stop both politicians from contesting in 2027.

They argued that the case would be pursued through the appellate courts, while the NDC maintained it was confident the Court of Appeal would overturn Friday’s ruling and allow the party to continue its political activities.