ABUJA – The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has intensified efforts to overturn the court ruling that nullified its registration, with presidential candidate Peter Obi, vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and other party leaders spearheading a coordinated legal battle aimed at restoring the party’s status before the 2027 general elections.
Ahead of Monday’s appeal at the Court of Appeal, the party’s leadership concluded a series of emergency strategy meetings involving National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson, members of the National Working Committee and senior legal advisers to finalise its response to the Federal High Court judgment delivered in Lokoja, Kogi State.
The legal challenge follows the Federal High Court’s decision to set aside its earlier judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party. The court ruled that the earlier decision was reached without hearing all parties with an interest in the matter, particularly the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the disputed party logo.
Despite the setback, the NDC insists the ruling does not amount to a final deregistration and has expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal will overturn the decision.
National Secretary of the party, Ikenna Enekweizu, confirmed that the appeal would be filed immediately, although he declined to reveal the composition of the legal team leading the case.
He described the Lokoja judgment as legally flawed and maintained that the appellate court would provide the party with justice.
Kwankwaso also reaffirmed his commitment to the party after meeting with NDC National Leader Seriake Dickson in Abuja, saying members should remain united and confident in the judicial process.
The former governor of Kano State said the legal challenge will not weaken the movement or derail its preparations for the 2027 elections, urging supporters across the country to remain calm and focused.
The party’s candidates were also said to be considering quitting the NDC but Dickson dismissed the reports, describing the verdict as a distraction to weaken the opposition forces.
He assured members that all candidates, including Peter Obi and Kwankwaso, remained committed to the party and would ultimately appear on the ballot once the legal process is concluded.
The party’s National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, maintained that the NDC anticipated legal and political obstacles and was fully prepared to defend its registration through every available legal avenue.
He added that beyond the courtroom, the party has begun wider engagements with civil society organisations, professional groups and the media to build public support for its position.
Meanwhile, several senior legal practitioners have noted that the Federal High Court is not the final authority on the matter. They stressed that the Constitution guarantees the NDC the right to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal, where the dispute is expected to receive expedited hearing because of its significance to Nigeria’s electoral process.
