The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has faulted the Kogi Federal High Court’s nullification of its order on the registration of the party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
NPO Reported that the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja on Friday had set aside an earlier judgment directing INEC to recognise the NDC as a political party.
Justice Isah Dashen, who delivered the ruling, held that all parties with an interest in the matter must be heard before any substantive decision can be made.
The court upheld an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), ruling that it was a necessary party to the suit and that the earlier judgment was constitutionally defective because it was delivered without hearing all affected parties.
Justice Dashen declared that the omission rendered the previous proceedings null and void.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued on the party’s official X handle, the NDC National Chairman, Moses Zuwoghe, expressed disatisfaction over the ruling which is set to be appealed before the Court of Appeal.
Zuwoghe maintained that the party remain a registered party.
“We are dissatisfied with the decision that has been made, and we have instructed our team of lawyers to immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge the jurisdiction and propriety of His Lordship’s order.
“We assure the general public, and particularly our candidates at all levels, that our party is on course.
“The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible. We have no doubt that justice will be done.” The NDC cheiftain said.
He further maintained that attempt to use the judiciary to derail Nigeria of a multi-party system is too late, stressing that Nigerians have the right to seek alternative political platforms.
“We condemn efforts by those who seek to shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices and alternatives.
“Nigerians have a right to a full range of opinions, ideas, and alternatives, and political platforms and candidates should be allowed to participate in the 2027 general election process, which has already gone midway.
“It is too late for anyone to attempt to use the judiciary to derail or narrow Nigeria’s multi-party democratic space.” He said.
The NDC National Chairman further labelled the upturn of the court’s decision as illegal and outright abuse of court process by the PMP, the plaintiff who filed the application.
“If the said association (Peace Movement Party) were a party affected by the judgment on our initial suit, the only option open to it was to appeal the verdict, an option which it did not take.
“Even at that, the window open for such appeal has since closed and any such appeal by now has become statute-barred.
“To now try to upturn that verdict through the back door, via a motion, is not only unheard-of, but also illegal and an outright abuse of court process.
“We thank Nigerians for their support, and we thank all our candidates, members and supporters for their confidence and trust in the party.
“We assure them that all nominations made remain valid, that our platform is strong and legal, and that justice will be served.” Zuwoghe added.