Court Orders INEC to Register National Democratic Party

On February 16, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice M.G. Umar, ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must register the National Democratic Party (NDP) as a political party.

The decision followed a summons filed on December 29, 2025, by the plaintiff, Ada Frederick Okwori, against INEC. The court determined that the NDP complied with Sections 222 and 224 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC's regulatory guidelines for political parties.

Justice Umar set aside INEC's letter dated December 18, 2025, which rejected the NDP's application, declaring it null and void. The court issued a mandatory order for INEC to register the NDP immediately.

Okwori described the ruling as a victory for constitutional democracy, asserting that the NDP has fulfilled all legal conditions for political party registration and urged INEC to comply promptly with the court's order.