RismadarVoice Reporters, June 29, 2026
Leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), including its presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have intensified efforts to challenge a Federal High Court ruling that set aside the party’s registration, as it prepares to file an appeal.
The party’s leadership concluded a series of emergency strategy meetings over the weekend ahead of Monday’s planned appeal against the Lokoja court judgment, which nullified an earlier order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC.
The ruling has heightened political tensions, with opposition figures describing it as a setback to democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A senior party official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, disclosed that key leaders, including Obi, former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, members of the National Working Committee and other stakeholders, participated in the meetings to finalise the party’s legal strategy.
According to the source, the party’s National Legal Adviser, Reuben Egwuaba, is expected to play a central role in the appeal.
NDC National Secretary Ikenna Enekweizu confirmed that the appeal would be filed on Monday but declined to identify the lawyer who would lead the legal team.
He described the Lokoja ruling as legally unfounded and expressed confidence that it would be overturned on appeal.
According to him, the judgment neither ends the party’s political activities nor prevents its candidates from contesting future elections.
Enekweizu maintained that the judiciary remains the appropriate avenue for resolving the dispute and expressed optimism that the appellate court would restore the party’s legal status.
Kwankwaso, who recently joined the NDC, also reaffirmed his confidence in the judicial process after meeting with the party’s national leader, Seriake Dickson, in Abuja.
In a statement shared on his verified Facebook page, the former Kano State governor described the meeting as part of ongoing consultations aimed at strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 polls.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm and united, insisting that the current legal challenge would not weaken the movement.
“No temporary setback can diminish a movement founded on hope, justice and equity,” he said.
Speaking during a television interview, Dickson dismissed speculation that the court ruling had unsettled the party or its candidates.
He assured members that the NDC remained committed to pursuing all legal remedies and expressed confidence that its candidates would ultimately appear on the ballot for the 2027 elections.
Dickson described the judgment as an attempt to distract the opposition but insisted the party would not be discouraged.
He also ruled out taking disciplinary action against the trial judge, saying the party would instead focus on challenging the ruling through the appellate courts.
The Federal High Court in Lokoja recently set aside its earlier judgment directing INEC to register the NDC after ruling that parties affected by the case had not been allowed to present their arguments.
The decision restored all parties to their positions before the December 2025 judgment that recognised the NDC, while INEC said it would await the Certified True Copy of the ruling before determining its next steps.
The dispute centres on claims by the Peace Movement Party regarding ownership of the party’s logo and other registration issues.
Senior lawyers who commented on the development agreed that the NDC has the constitutional right to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adedayo Adedeji said the judgment does not automatically bar the party or its candidates from participating in future elections, noting that the legal process remains ongoing.
Another Senior Advocate, Itse Sagay, expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would give the matter accelerated hearing because of its national political significance.
However, he warned that if the appellate court upholds the judgment, the consequences could be far-reaching for the party’s electoral ambitions.
Senior Advocate Adelola Adedipe offered a different interpretation, explaining that the latest ruling merely reversed the judicial order that enabled the party’s registration and should not be seen as a final deregistration.
According to him, the substantive suit is yet to be determined, meaning the legal status of the NDC remains subject to further judicial proceedings.
Support groups aligned with Obi and Kwankwaso also threw their weight behind the planned appeal, expressing confidence that the ruling would be overturned.
The groups urged party members to remain focused, insisting the legal challenge would not prevent the opposition from participating in the 2027 general election.
The NDC maintains that the court ruling neither deregistered the party nor extinguished its right to seek legal redress, adding that it remains committed to pursuing all constitutional options available.
