The Federal High Court in Lokoja has reversed its earlier judgment that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
TheHintsNews reports that NDC had earlier secured a court order directing INEC to register it, leading the electoral commission to include the party on its list of recognised political parties.
That decision order, however, attracted objections from other political associations, which questioned whether the party had met all the legal requirements for registration.
The All Democratic Alliance (ADA) had argued that the NDC did not complete the registration process through INEC’s official portal and failed to submit key documents required by law, including its manifesto and other supporting materials.
It was against this background that the court was prompted to reopen the case and review its earlier decision.
The court vacated the previous order that compelled INEC to register the NDC.
The fresh ruling removes the legal basis for the party’s registration and leaves its status uncertain for now.
Based on this ruling, the party is no longer recognised as a registered political party and cannot sponsor or field candidates in elections unless it secures fresh recognition from INEC.
The decision also means INEC is no longer under any legal obligation to keep the NDC on its list of registered political parties.
The court agreed that there were legal and procedural issues surrounding the earlier judgment, making it necessary to reverse the order.