Court of Appeal Reinstates Nigeria Democratic Congress Registration

The Court of Appeal in Abuja issued a split decision of 2-to-1, reversing a Federal High Court ruling that had previously set aside an order for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). The initial ruling by Justice Isah Dashen on December 10, 2025, had mandated INEC to register the NDC, but this was overturned due to a claim by the Peace Movement Party (PMP) regarding the ownership of the party logo.

The majority judgment, delivered by Justices Mohammed Danjuma and M. L.

Hassan, stated that the PMP is not a registered political party and thus could not be a necessary party in the NDC's suit against INEC. The court criticized the trial court for wrongly declaring the PMP as affected by a prior judgment recognizing the NDC.

Justice Okon Abang dissented, arguing that the appeal was improperly filed and lacked a decision from the trial court regarding the PMP's status. Following the ruling, Senator Seriake Dickson confirmed that the NDC would proceed with its campaigns for the 2027 general elections.