A Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Friday set aside its earlier judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
Justice Isah Dashen ruled that all parties involved must be heard before any final decision can be made. The court also upheld an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), saying it was a necessary party in the case.
The judge said the earlier judgment was constitutionally defective because it was delivered without hearing all interested parties. He ruled that the omission made the entire process null and void.
Justice Dashen ordered that the situation be returned to how it was before the December 2025 judgment until the substantive suit is decided. He also said some material facts were withheld during the earlier proceedings, which justified setting aside the judgment.
The court directed that the substantive suit should begin afresh, with INEC, the PMP and the NDC all joined as parties.
Counsel to the applicant, Chikezie Ekeocha, told journalists that the PMP went to court after discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo it had earlier submitted to INEC before the suit began.
According to Ekeocha, the court agreed that the applicant’s rights were affected and therefore vacated the earlier judgment.
“The court has ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the judgment of December 10, 2025, and directed the claimants to join all necessary parties to ensure the issues in dispute are effectually and completely determined,” he said.
He said the ruling means every step taken by INEC to comply with the now-vacated judgment has been reversed.
“The recognition of the NDC, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” Ekeocha stated.
He added that the main case is still before the court.
“The matter has not been concluded. The court merely set aside its previous judgment and directed that the party whose interests were affected be joined so that all sides can be heard before a fresh decision is reached.”
