By Our Staff Reporter.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has set aside its December 10, 2025 judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.

Delivering ruling on Friday 26th June 2026 in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025, Justice Isah Dashen held that the earlier decision was constitutionally defective because all interested parties were not heard before it was delivered.

Justice Dashen upheld the application filed by the Peace Movement Party, PMP, ruling that it is a necessary party to the suit. The judge said counsel to PMP demonstrated sufficient legal interest to warrant its inclusion in the proceedings.

“The earlier judgment was constitutionally defective as it was delivered without hearing from all interested parties,” he ruled. “Such an omission rendered the entire process null and void.”

The court also noted that certain material facts were suppressed in the earlier proceedings, which justified setting aside the judgment.

The judge ordered that the status quo be restored to the position that existed before the December 2025 judgment, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Consequently, the court directed that the substantive suit commence afresh, with INEC, the Peace Movement Party, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress as parties to the case.

Counsel to the applicant, C.S. Ekeocha, told journalists that PMP approached the court after discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo it had earlier submitted to INEC before the suit commenced.

“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,” Ekeocha said.

He explained the implication: “The recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, 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registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit.”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 clarified that the substantive case 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.”

He dismissed claims that the court only ordered parties to maintain the status quo, insisting the ruling specifically directed a restoration of the pre-December 10, 2025 position.

The ruling returns the dispute over NDC’s registration to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing, with all relevant parties expected to participate before a new determination is made.