Court Of Appeal Overturns Lokoja Ruling, Restores NDC Registration

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has overturned a Federal High Court judgment that had nullified the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

The appellate court, in a majority decision delivered on Friday, set aside the June 26, 2026 judgment of Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State.

The decision effectively restores the NDC’s registration after months of legal uncertainty over the party’s status ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The majority held that the Federal High Court erred by entertaining a matter that sought to overturn its own earlier judgment of December 10, 2025, in which it had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC.

The appellate court found that the lower court’s subsequent decision amounted to an improper exercise of judicial power, according to reports of the judgment.

The dispute also involved a logo used by the NDC, which the Peace Movement Party (PMP) had claimed belonged to it.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the claims surrounding the disputed symbol, clearing another major issue that had featured in the Federal High Court proceedings.

Justice Okon Abang, however, dissented from the majority decision.

In his dissenting position, Abang held that he would have upheld the Federal High Court’s decision against the NDC.

The legal battle began after Justice Dashen’s June ruling reversed the effect of his court’s earlier December 2025 decision directing INEC to recognise and register the NDC.

The NDC subsequently challenged the ruling at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the Federal High Court could not sit on appeal over its own final judgment.

The latest appellate decision comes as political parties and prospective candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 elections.

The NDC is one of the political platforms linked to former Anambra State governor and presidential hopeful Peter Obi, who is expected to contest the 2027 presidential election under the party’s platform, according to reports.