By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka
Abuja
A Federal High Court in Lokoja has vacated its previous order compelling INEC to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (ND. The new judgment nullifies the party’s recognition and bars it from presenting candidates until it obtains fresh approval from INEC.
The case was reopened after the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), contended that the NDC skipped INEC’s official registration portal and did not file key statutory documents, including its manifesto. Other political groups also raised concerns over compliance with the law.
Following an earlier court directive, INEC had listed the NDC among registered parties. That listing is now reversed. The court held that legal and procedural defects in the initial judgment made it necessary to set the order aside.
With the order vacated, INEC is no longer under any legal duty to retain the NDC on its list of registered political parties. The party is also barred from fielding candidates in elections unless it secures a new registration.
The judgment marks a major turn in the legal contest over the NDC’s status. The party can either appeal the decision or reapply by fulfilling all INEC requirements. For now, its operations as a recognised political party are suspended.
